[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E285-E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING MORGAN NELSON

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. XOCHITL TORRES SMALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 11, 2019

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexcio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
remember and honor the life of an important and respected member of the 
southern New Mexico community, Morgan Nelson, who on March 1, 2019 
passed away at the age of 99. Morgan

[[Page E286]]

was a champion of water, cotton, and education--issues he fought for as 
a private citizen and as a Representative in the New Mexico State 
Legislature, where he served for 12 years. His proudest achievement was 
the proposal and enactment of the junior-college system for New Mexico. 
Later in life, Morgan and his wife Joyce established two endowed 
scholarships, one with the New Mexico State University (NMSU) 
Foundation and one with the Eastern New Mexico University--Roswell 
(ENMU-R) Foundation. Morgan served on the Chaves County Community 
Corrections Advisory Panel and strongly advocated for community based 
mental health services. He also served as Flood Commissioner for Chaves 
County for the past 10 years, up until the day he died.
  After graduating from New Mexico College of Agriculture and 
Mechanical Arts (now New Mexico State University), Morgan served in 
World War II for 5 years in the Middle East and Europe. He later served 
in Korea, ultimately leaving the service with the rank of Colonel after 
20 years with the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
  Upon returning to New Mexico after World War II, Morgan joined his 
family's farms in Cottonwood and East Grand Plains, and he farmed the 
rest of his life. He was particularly active in promoting cotton, 
serving over 20 years on the Cotton Incorporated (CI) Board of 
Directors, becoming president of the 1517 Cotton Association, working 
as a member of the Board of Directors of the Southwestern Irrigated 
Cotton Growers (SWIG), and staying active in the NMSU College of 
Agriculture's cotton research and promotion. Morgan earned the nickname 
``Mr. Cotton'' and was among the first five inductees into the Cotton's 
Hall of Fame in 2014.
  Morgan's family included his wife, Joyce LaSuer Walsh Nelson, who 
passed away in 2008 after 58 years of marriage. They have three 
daughters, Margo Eichwald, Ann Houghtaling, and Jane McLaughlin, seven 
grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Morgan Nelson's impact on southern New Mexico and our 
region cannot be overstated. I ask that my colleagues join me in 
remembering him for his tireless service and dedication. I join his 
family, friends and all of New Mexico to honor his legacy and celebrate 
his life.

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