Courtney Receives Navy Distinguished Public Service Award

This article was posted by Erin Quinlan. It was reported and written by Chris Dehnel.

U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney has been was awarded the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. 

Courtney, a Vernon resident, received the honor on Wednesday, according to a news release from his office.

The Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, established in 1951, is an award presented by the U.S. Secretary of the Navy to civilians for "specific courageous or heroic acts or exceptionally outstanding service of substantial and long-term benefit to the Navy, Marine Corps, or Department of the Navy as a whole," the news release states. It is the highest recognition that the Secretary of the Navy may pay to a civilian not employed by the Navy.

Courtney, a Democrat, represents Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District. 

“It is a true honor to receive the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award from Secretary Mabus,” Courtney said. “Representing the Submarine Capital of the World and Connecticut’s most veteran-heavy congressional district, supporting our military men and women—past and present—has been, and will always be, a priority for me.” 
Here is the text from the citation accompanying the award: 

“For exceptional service to the Department of the Navy as a member of Congress and the House Armed Services Committee. Representative Courtney’s dedicated service to our Sailors and Marines ensured they were provided the resources necessary to support and defend the Nation’s interests around the globe. His strong leadership as a member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, and the Congressional Shipbuilding and Submarine Caucuses guaranteed the highest levels of sustainability for our combat forces. Through his tireless efforts while serving on the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Congressional Military Families Caucus, Representative Courtney directly impacted the quality of life for the men and women of the Department of the Navy, and ensured the Navy-Marine Corps team was the most capable force in history. With grateful appreciation for his many years of public service to the Nation and for his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps, the Honorable Joe Courtney is awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.”