On Killing of American Personnel in Libya

The tragic and heartbreaking killing of our ambassador and other American officials in Libya is an attack on all Americans and the values that we hold dear as we work to defend and promote freedom around the globe.

Today we as a nation should be united in mourning the loss of our fellow Americans and stand resolved in making sure that justice is delivered for these heinous acts.

We should also stand united in saluting our diplomatic corps – thousands of Americans around the globe representing our nation in sometimes very dangerous places.

They are patriots who have put themselves in harm's way out of a sense of duty and love for country and I salute them.

The attacks on our consulate and embassy in Benghazi and Cairo in the last 24 hours show just how fragile and hostile much of the Middle East region continues to be to the United States and how vigilant our intelligence, diplomatic and military personnel will have to be to continue to protect Americans and our allies in the region.

 is the representative of New York’s Fourth Congressional District. She was first elected in 1996.