Roy Blunt US Senator For Missouri: Blunt Appointed Honorary Officer Of The Order Of Australia

Press release from Roy Blunt US Senator for Missouri:

September 24, 2021

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.)
appointed Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia at a ceremony in the U.S.
Capitol on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Pictured from left to right:
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), and Australian
Ambassador to the U.S. Arthur Sinodinos.

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WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) was appointed
an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia. The Order of Australia is the
nation’s highest civilian recognition for outstanding achievement and service.
The award was presented by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a
ceremony in the U.S. Capitol.

“Australia is one of our closest friends, strongest allies,
and most valued economic partners,” said Blunt. “Our two nations are bonded not
only by our shared values, but also by the incredible sacrifices our service
members have made fighting side by side in every major conflict in the last 100
years. I am incredibly honored to receive this award and very grateful to Prime
Minister Morrison and Ambassador Sinodinos for their continued partnership.”

As a founding co-chair
of the Friends of Australia Caucus, Blunt has worked to strengthen the
U.S.-Australia relationship and advance security and prosperity in the
Asia-Pacific region. In 2018, Blunt led a Senate Resolution commemorating the
centenary of Mateship, marking 100 years of Australians and Americans fighting
side by side in every major conflict.

In his remarks, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Arthur
Sinodinos thanked Blunt for his key role in the passage of the U.S.-Australia
Free Trade Agreement when he was Majority Whip in the House of Representatives.
In the first 15 years of this landmark agreement, goods and services trade
between the U.S. and Australia doubled, and two-way investment tripled. This
agreement has also expanded U.S.-Australian collaboration in research and
innovation, including visa opportunities for highly skilled U.S. and Australian
workers to share their knowledge and expertise.

The U.S. and Australia have maintained strong, long-standing
defense and economic relationships that greatly benefit both nations. Bilateral
military cooperation between the two nations has strengthened the fight against
terrorism and enhanced security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In
addition, the significant trade, investment, and tourism ties the U.S. and
Australia share have bolstered both nation’s economies.

The Order of Australia, instituted by Her Majesty The Queen
on February 14, 1975, was established to recognize Australian citizens and
other persons for achievement or meritorious service.

Read an op-ed from Ambassador Sinodinos in The Hill here.

This press release was produced by Roy Blunt US Senator for Missouri. The views expressed here are the author’s own.