WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tim Bishop issued the following statement in response to the death of US Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in an attack on the U.S Consulate in Benghazi yesterday:

"I support the President's resolve to carry out swift justice against those responsible for the deaths of J. Christopher Stevens, our ambassador to Libya, and three other American citizens in yesterday's attack against the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time. I also support taking additional steps to safeguard the security of our public servants overseas.

"Since our founding, America has defended the right of all people to exercise their religious beliefs, in Egypt, Libya, and throughout the world. There can be no justification for any attack on U.S. sovereign territory and our diplomats, and I stand with my colleagues in rejecting any attempt to justify this cowardly attack on our nation."