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Chabot Decries Murder of U.S. Ambassador in Benghazi

 

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH),  Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia,  issued the following statement Wednesday on the deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Libya:

“First, let me express my great sadness at yesterday’s tragic events in Libya. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of those dedicated Americans who gave their lives in service to their country.

I recently returned from a visit to Libya and was able to spend some time with Ambassador Stevens and our diplomatic team on the ground in Tripoli. Their assignment was a dangerous one in a troubled region but, like so many Americans throughout the world who serve in the Foreign Service, often away from their families for long periods, and often in dangerous locations, they approached their jobs with the utmost dedication, professionalism and patriotism. Sadly, they sometimes pay the ultimate price in the line of duty. And that is what sadly happened yesterday.

Chris Stevens was a first class diplomat who represented his country admirably. He was excited about the opportunity to help a nation newly freed from decades of brutal dictatorship and he went about his work with enthusiasm and optimism.

I had the opportunity to join the Ambassador last month for an Iftar dinner with a number of newly elected parliamentarians. They were excited about building a democracy, creating a vibrant economy, and restoring fundamental human rights for the Libyan people. And Ambassador Stevens was as excited at those prospects as they were.

The murderers who took the lives of Chris Stevens and his colleagues should take no pride in their cowardly acts.  They have merely shown the world that their brand of senseless violence is reprehensible and should be condemned by all decent people.

May our fellow Americans rest in peace.”