Udall 'Honored' to Accept Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award 'On Behalf of All Coloradans'
Award is Highest Honor Awarded to Non-Navy Personnel, Recognizes Udall's Contributions to Energy Security
Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was honored today to receive the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award from Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. The award is the highest honor given to non-Navy personnel for contributions and accomplishments that have had Navy-wide impact or beyond. Mabus recognized Udall's work on energy security and his successful fight last year to remove problematic provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act that would have restricted the Defense Department's ability to develop and use alternative fuels.
"I'm honored and humbled to accept the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award on behalf of all Coloradans. We have the best Navy — and the best military — in the world. I am proud to do my part on the Senate Armed Services Committee to ensure that they remain on the cutting edge and that the Department of Defense's efforts to reduce its reliance on foreign oil move forward," Udall said. "Coloradans and our troops pride themselves on finding innovative and pragmatic solutions to difficult problems. I am proud I have been able to bring some of that Colorado common sense to the Senate and to the debate on our national security policy. I will continue to fight for a smart, but tough, national security policy and to ensure that we never lose sight of the fact that energy security is national security."
Udall, who also serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has been a vocal advocate for the military’s alternative fuel programs. He recently toured the U.S. Air Force Academy to learn about its research to use algae to produce fuels.