[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S456-S457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to Kevin Rudd

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, 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.
  He negotiated a critical minerals agreement that is already spurring 
new mining and processing projects to benefit both our countries.
  He also spearheaded a cutting-edge tech partnership that is unlocking 
billions of dollars in bilateral investments, including for AI and 
quantum technology.
  Ambassador Rudd's leadership strengthened Australia's security and 
our shared security alliance for decades to come. Thanks, in part, to 
his efforts, our governments, our Armed Forces, our intelligence 
services, our private sectors, and industries are working together more 
closely than ever, ensuring that our alliance forged on the 
battlefields of the last century remains unbreakable in this century.
  Under Kevin's tenure, the United States-Australia partnership has 
never been stronger. He understands that our alliance isn't just an old 
friendship to be maintained; it is a living bond to be continually 
strengthened. He built personal relationships across the whole 
political spectrum in working with Democrats and Republicans and across 
two very different Presidential administrations to keep this alliance 
with Australia above the partisan fray. Kevin demonstrated that no 
matter Democrat or Republican control, or whether it is Labor or 
Liberal in Canberra, our alliance is the alliance of values and vision 
that transcends politics. That is an extraordinary legacy to leave in 
government.

  As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about China policy, I 
don't think there is anyone that is more informed or who has, frankly, 
written more scholarly articles on the intentions of President Xi in 
China than Kevin Rudd. Kevin Rudd is a scholar on China and a fluent 
Mandarin speaker. He puts that expertise to work each day. He reminds 
me, at times, that I am supposed to address him as ``Dr. Rudd.''
  Kevin has been a voice of principled leadership in pushing back 
against unnecessary coercive tactics by the PRC. He understands, from 
Australia's own experience, that we must not allow the PRC to act as a 
bully either in the Indo-Pacific region or around the globe. Kevin saw 
how China's attempts at coercive economic diplomacy against Australia 
backfired a few years back when its allies and partners, including the 
United States, rallied around Australia and declared such coercion 
unacceptable.
  Kevin carried that leadership into his ambassadorship, and he often 
reminded many of us in the Senate of a key lesson: When pushing back 
against an adversary, it is best to do so ``in the company of friends'' 
rather than alone.
  There is also a popular African proverb: ``If you want to go fast go 
alone; if you want to go far, go together.'' Ambassador Rudd understood 
that resisting coercion and deterring aggression requires building 
capacity among our nations, as through AUKUS and the Quad partnership. 
Whether in shaping Indo-Pacific strategy, in helping to refocus and 
strengthen the indispensable Five Eyes intelligence partnership, or in 
speaking out on foundational international norms, he made sure that 
Australia and the United States stood shoulder to shoulder against 
intimidation.
  Beyond policy achievements and strategic vision, Kevin Rudd is one of 
the sharpest minds on the diplomatic stage. Few can match his knowledge 
of history or his analytical depth on international affairs. That is 
why I hate to see him leave this post, but he is not going far. He is 
going to return to the Asia Society that he will head up in the United 
States--although, with a number of his kids and grandkids being in 
Australia, I know he will be going back and forth between our two 
nations. The fact that

[[Page S457]]

he will continue to play a policy role will be important for both of 
our nations and for all of us who care about maintaining democratic 
values. I know that his passion for public service, his commitment to 
internationalism, and his insightful analysis are ending here after his 
time in Washington.
  In closing, on behalf of my colleagues in the Senate, I extend my 
profound thanks to Ambassador Rudd. I thank him for his steadfast 
service, for the wisdom he has shared, and for the friendship he has 
offered. The bonds between our two nations are stronger because of his 
work. I wish him and Therese every success and happiness in the journey 
to come.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask that the quorum call be 
rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.