Floor SpeechNeutral2025-03-10

REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL EVAN L. "CURLY" HULTMAN

TaxesForeign PolicyDefenseCrime & JusticeVeterans

Context

On 2025-03-10, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL EVAN L. "CURLY" HULTMAN" in the Senate. The speech addressed taxes and also covered foreign policy, defense. It referenced legislation including S1625, S1626.

Full Text

REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL EVAN L. "CURLY" HULTMAN

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 44 (Monday, March 10, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 44 (Monday, March 10, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S1625-S1626] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL EVAN L. ``CURLY'' HULTMAN Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I want to honor an outstanding Iowan who devoted his life in service to our home State and to America. This weekend, my good friend of nearly 70 years was laid to rest with full military honors, after passing away on February 16, at age 99 years young. Evan L. Hultman was better known by his nickname. He was called ``Curly'' for his thick crop of curly blond hair. Throughout his career in the military, law, and politics, Curly never met a stranger. And he never let a blade of grass grow underneath his feet. A stand-out athlete, Curly helped lead his high school football team to victory at the state championship in 1941. He was a multisport varsity athlete at East High School in Waterloo. In the ninth grade, he met the love of his life Betty Ann Hook. Following graduation from high school in 1943, Curly enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married his high school sweetheart on October 14, 1944, before Curly served in the South Pacific in the 19th Infantry Division. [[Page S1626]] A member of the ``greatest generation,'' Curly served our country in uniform with honor and distinction. He remained in the Army Reserve for more than a half-century following Active Duty. In 1980, he attained the rank of major general. After the war, Curly attended the University of Iowa, earning his bachelor's and law degrees. From there, he delved head first into civic and political life. After winning election as Black Hawk County Attorney, Curly was elected Iowa Attorney General. This is around the time our paths crossed on the campaign trail in the Cedar Valley and when I started serving in the State legislature in Des Moines. A lifelong Republican, Curly was our party's nominee for Governor in 1964. He lost a hard-fought race to Harold Hughes, who went on to join this body in the 91st Congress. From 1969 to 1977, Curly served as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, under Presidents Nixon and Ford. During my first term in the U.S. Senate, President Reagan reappointed Curly as U.S. Attorney, and I was pleased to help steer his nomination through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Following his three tours of duty as U.S. Attorney, Curly served as executive director of the Reserve Officers Association and the International Confederation of Reserve Officers, an organization of reserve officers in the NATO alliance. In this capacity, Curly helped forge lasting peace and security for former Warsaw Pact nations and some former Soviet republics. During his tenure, NATO expanded from 13 to 30 member-nations. Curly was named the organization's honorary president for life. Curly's distinguished record of public and military service was recognized with the Army's Distinguished Service Medal from President Reagan and the Distinguished Public Service Medal from the U.S. Secretary of Defense in 1994. His leadership for peace and freedom also were recognized around the globe, including from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, and Denmark. Closer to home, Curly was a treasured, invaluable civic leader in the Cedar Valley. He helped raise funds for Honor Flights and many other veterans programs, including money for the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, for which he had a leading role in its design, construction, and fundraising. Curly was known to break into song and dance to raise money for local veterans causes. For decades, Curly was a mainstay on the campaign trail, from the Iowa caucuses, statewide and local elections. He got bit by the political bug early, attending his first grassroots event at an early age for the reelection of President Herbert Hoover. And just last year, in sub-zero temperatures, Curly attended his precinct caucus at the Columbus Catholic High School gymnasium in Waterloo. This Iowa Hawkeye turned statesman was larger than life and made life better for those around him. He stood on principle and leaves a lasting legacy as a peacemaker and patriot and his love for America. His greatest duty and devotion were reserved for his family and high school sweetheart Betty, his wife of 73 years. Barbara and I send our sincerest condolences to his entire family, especially his three children Stevan, Susan, and Heidi. Godspeed, Curly. May you rest in eternal peace alongside your beloved Betty. ____________________

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REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL EVAN L. "CURLY" HULTMAN Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 44 (Monday, March 10, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 44 (Monday, March 10, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S1625-S1626] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL EVAN L. ``CURLY'' HULTMAN Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I want to honor an outstanding Iowan who devoted his life in service to our home State and to America. This weekend, my good friend of nearly 70 years was laid to rest with full military honors, after passing away on February 16, at age 99 years young. Evan L. Hultman was better known by his nickname. He was called ``Curly'' for his thick crop of curly blond hair. Throughout his career in the military, law, and politics, Curly never met a stranger. And he never let a blade of grass grow underneath his feet. A stand-out athlete, Curly helped lead his high school football team to victory at the state championship in 1941. He was a multisport varsity athlete at East High School in Waterloo. In the ninth grade, he met the love of his life Betty Ann Hook. Following graduation from high school in 1943, Curly enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married his high school sweetheart on October 14, 1944, before Curly served in the South Pacific in the 19th Infantry Division. [[Page S1626]] A member of the ``greatest generation,'' Curly served our country in uniform with honor and distinction. He remained in the Army Reserve for more than a half-century following Active Duty. In 1980, he attained the rank of major general. After the war, Curly attended the University of Iowa, earning his bachelor's and law degrees. From there, he delved head first into civic and political life. After winning election as Black Hawk County Attorney, Curly was elected Iowa Attorney General. This is around the time our paths crossed on the campaign trail in the Cedar Valley and when I started serving in the State legislature in Des Moines. A lifelong Republican, Curly was our party's nominee for Governor in 1964. He lost a hard-fought race to Harold Hughes, who went on to join this body in the 91st Congress. From 1969 to 1977, Curly served as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, under Presidents Nixon and Ford. During my first term in the U.S. Senate, President Reagan reappointed Curly as U.S. Attorney, and I was pleased to help steer his nomination through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Following his three tours of duty as U.S. Attorney, Curly served as executive director of the Reserve Officers Association and the International Confederation of Reserve Officers, an organization of reserve officers in the NATO alliance. In this capacity, Curly helped forge lasting peace and security for former Warsaw Pact nations and some former Soviet republics. During his tenure, NATO expanded from 13 to 30 member-nations. Curly was named the organization's honorary president for life. Curly's distinguished record of public and military service was recognized with the Army's Distinguished Service Medal from President Reagan and the Distinguished Public Service Medal from the U.S. Secretary of Defense in 1994. His leadership for peace and freedom also were recognized around the globe, including from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, and Denmark. Closer to home, Curly was a treasured, invaluable civic leader in the Cedar Valley. He helped raise funds for Honor Flights and many other veterans programs, including money for the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, for which he had a leading role in its design, construction, and fundraising. Curly was known to break into song and dance to raise money for local veterans causes. For decades, Curly was a mainstay on the campaign trail, from the Iowa caucuses, statewide and local elections. He got bit by the political bug early, attending his first grassroots event at an early age for the reelection of President Herbert Hoover. And just last year, in sub-zero temperatures, Curly attended his precinct caucus at the Columbus Catholic High School gymnasium in Waterloo. This Iowa Hawkeye turned statesman was larger than life and made life better for those around him. He stood on principle and leaves a lasting legacy as a peacemaker and patriot and his love for America. His greatest duty and devotion were reserved for his family and high school sweetheart Betty, his wife of 73 years. Barbara and I send our sincerest condolences to his entire family, especially his three children Stevan, Susan, and Heidi. Godspeed, Curly. May you rest in eternal peace alongside your beloved Betty. ____________________