Sessions Receives Naval Distinguished Public Service Award
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: February 6, 2013
U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate
Armed
Services Committee and Ranking member of the Strategic Forces
Subcommittee, received the Distinguished Public Service Award today from
the Department of the Navy, its highest award given to those outside
naval service. Sessions issued the
following statement:
"I
am moved and humbled by this honor and am so deeply grateful to
Secretary Mabus. We
must never fail to understand how critical the Navy is in securing
America and projecting American power across the world. As an eight-year
member of the Subcommittee on Seapower, I think it's important to
support our naval programs, and to ensure the necessary
resources for our men and women in service. The United States Navy is
the greatest naval force the world has known, and we must never break
faith with those who serve in its ranks. Today's award will remind me
always of the solemn obligation we in Congress
have to stand resolutely behind the men on women of the United States
Navy and all of our armed services."
BACKGROUND:
Senator
Sessions served in the Army Reserves. The Navy Distinguished Public
Service Award (DPSA) is the highest award given to non-Navy individuals
or non-career Navy employees. The purpose of this award is for
contributions and accomplishments that have had Navy-wide impact, or
beyond. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower,
Sen. Sessions worked hard to ensure the Navy is properly configured and
funded. The citation from the Department of the Navy reads:
"For
exceptional service to the Department of the Navy as a member of
Congress
and the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Sessions' long and
selfless service to the Nation's 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 Ranking Member of both the Budget Committee and the Strategic Forces
Subcommittee greatly contributed to the quality of the United States'
naval forces, continued support for quality of life for the men and
women of the Department of the Navy, and assured
the Navy-Marine Corps team was the most lethal in history. Senator
Sessions' tireless advocacy of shipbuilding programs as the former
Chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee assured the highest levels of
readiness for our combat forces. With grateful appreciation
for his 16 years of service to the Nation and for his outstanding
contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps the Honorable Jeff Sessions
is awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service
Award."
