Political Quotes

“I am here today to honor a remarkable diplomat and dear friend, Ambassador Kevin Rudd, as he prepares to leave his post as Australian Ambassador to the United States. I first got to know Kevin and his wife Therese over a decade ago. But now, more recently, as chairman and now vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I have had the pleasure of working with Ambassador Rudd on some of the most pressing challenges of our time. With his departure, we are going to bid farewell to a statesman whose tenure has strengthened the bonds between Australia and the United States and upheld the values we share. From the day Ambassador Rudd arrived in Washington on March 2023, he proved to be a driving force in advancing our mutual national interests. During his accomplished career in the Australian Parliament and as Prime Minister, he understood the importance of engaging Congress, steadying the Australian relationships through changes in administrations. And in 3 years, he delivered enduring and positive outcomes for Americans and Australians alike. Ambassador Rudd spearheaded Australia's push to advance the landmark AUKUS security pact, expanding the broad bipartisan support and securing the endorsements of both President Biden and President Trump and advancing investment in limitation strategies both here in the United States and back in his home in Australia.”