U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) has been chosen for one of Australia’s top civilian awards.
Courtney is one of a few Americans to be given the Order of Australia, which recognizes extraordinary service by a non-citizen.
Courtney said he is deeply honored by the award. He has been working with Australia for the past decade, and co-chairs the Friends of Australia Caucus.
He has also been instrumental in the AUKUS trilateral defense agreement between Australia, the UK and the U.S. to help provide nuclear submarines to Australia. It’s the first time the U.S. has entered into such an agreement with another country.