CONNECTICUT, USA — The Governor-General of Australia appointed Congressman Joe Courtney as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia Tuesday, according to a spokesperson.
Awards and appointments to the Order of Australia recognize individuals who are not Australian citizens for their "extraordinary service to Australia or humanity at large," the spokesperson said.
The Embassy of Australia will present Courtney with the pre-eminent award at a banquet in Washington, D.C.
Kevin Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the United States, said that "Joe has been [a] strong and tireless advocate of the Australia-US alliance, founding and co-chairing both the bipartisan Friends of Australia Caucus and the AUKUS Working Group. His leadership continues to strengthen ties between our two nations, and promote security and prosperity in the Indo Pacific. Thanks for all your hard work, Joe, and congratulations on this well deserved recognition."
Courtney said, "It is an honor to be appointed as an Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia, a reflection of the Australian Government's ironclad commitment to our nation's long-standing mateship - now stronger than ever under AUKUS."
AUKUS is a trilateral security agreement between the U.S., Australia and the U.K. More information about his leadership in the agreement can be found here.
He continued, "Eastern Connecticut and Australia share a special connection through AUKUS. As a result of the bipartisan Courtney-Gallagher amendment in the 2023 NDAA, we are host to Australian submarine officers and enlisted sailors training at Sub Base New London. As co-chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, I will continue working to advance the U.S.-Australia relationship that is founded on a shared commitment to preserving international rule of law and democratic values."
Courtney joins a select group of appointees including Missouri Senator Roy Blunt; former co-chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, Admiral Harry Harris; former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command and General David Petraeus; former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, according to the spokesperson.
The notice of Courtney's appointment as Honorary Officer can be read here.
Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com
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