WASHINGTON, D.C. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award for his dedication to ensuring the highest quality of service and quality of life for servicemembers during his decade-long tenure on SASC and for outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps. Awarded on December 11, 2024, by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the DPS award is the highest award the Secretary can bestow on a civilian outside of the Department of the Navy.

The award includes the following citation: “For exceptional public service to the Department of the Navy as a Member of Congress and the Senate Armed Services Committee, from 2013 to 2024. Senator Kaine’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 leadership on personnel and readiness policy focused on Quality of Service, ensuring Service Member access to health care, child care, and education. Senator Kaine’s efforts in support of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States Agreement and the revitalization of the defense industrial base to support shipbuilding, have ensured that the Navy-Marine Corps team remains the most capable force in history. With grateful appreciation for his many years of public service to the Nation and his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps, the Honorable Tim Kaine is awarded the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award.”