Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-02-04

TRIBUTE TO RAY CURTIS

HealthcareVeterans

Context

On 2026-02-04, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO RAY CURTIS" in the Senate. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered veterans affairs. It referenced legislation including S487, S488.

Full Text

TRIBUTE TO RAY CURTIS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S487-S488] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ TRIBUTE TO RAY CURTIS Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, I want to honor a very special North Dakota resident who is turning 109 years old on February 11. Ray Curtis is considered to be the oldest veteran living in North Dakota and our State's oldest resident. There are only 10 other known living veterans in the Nation who are older. Ray embodies the very best of the ``Greatest Generation.'' He was born in 1917 in the hospital in Portal, near his northwestern North Dakota hometown of Columbus. Ten years later, his family moved to Minot, and he graduated from Minot High School in 1935. Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, Ray farmed with his father and brother. His 5 years of Active Duty involved work as a clerk-typist, communications officer, and commander of an automatic weapons unit in the United States. After the [[Page S488]] Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Ray was eventually stationed in Germany for 10 months as an infantry unit commander. Following Pearl Harbor, Ray married his sweetheart Ellen in Reno, NV. After his discharge from the Army, they farmed his family's land and raised five children. Since 1983, they lived in Minot, and following the death of Ellen in 2014, he moved to an assisted living center, where he continues to live a full and active life. We consider the centenarians living in North Dakota among our most treasured residents. Their pioneer spirit, dignity, and hard work have brought them through many challenges and personal achievements. And while we owe a debt of gratitude to every veteran who has served our country, having Ray as one of the Nation's oldest living World War II veterans increases our admiration and appreciation for him and his remarkable life. On behalf of all North Dakotans, I thank Ray Curtis for his service to our country and wish him a happy 109th birthday. We hope he enjoys continued good health and vitality. ____________________

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TRIBUTE TO RAY CURTIS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S487-S488] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ TRIBUTE TO RAY CURTIS Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, I want to honor a very special North Dakota resident who is turning 109 years old on February 11. Ray Curtis is considered to be the oldest veteran living in North Dakota and our State's oldest resident. There are only 10 other known living veterans in the Nation who are older. Ray embodies the very best of the ``Greatest Generation.'' He was born in 1917 in the hospital in Portal, near his northwestern North Dakota hometown of Columbus. Ten years later, his family moved to Minot, and he graduated from Minot High School in 1935. Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, Ray farmed with his father and brother. His 5 years of Active Duty involved work as a clerk-typist, communications officer, and commander of an automatic weapons unit in the United States. After the [[Page S488]] Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Ray was eventually stationed in Germany for 10 months as an infantry unit commander. Following Pearl Harbor, Ray married his sweetheart Ellen in Reno, NV. After his discharge from the Army, they farmed his family's land and raised five children. Since 1983, they lived in Minot, and following the death of Ellen in 2014, he moved to an assisted living center, where he continues to live a full and active life. We consider the centenarians living in North Dakota among our most treasured residents. Their pioneer spirit, dignity, and hard work have brought them through many challenges and personal achievements. And while we owe a debt of gratitude to every veteran who has served our country, having Ray as one of the Nation's oldest living World War II veterans increases our admiration and appreciation for him and his remarkable life. On behalf of all North Dakotans, I thank Ray Curtis for his service to our country and wish him a happy 109th birthday. We hope he enjoys continued good health and vitality. ____________________