[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ACKNOWLEDGING RUSSELL M. NELSON DAY IN THE STATE OF UTAH AND 
          CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF RUSSELL M. NELSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN R. CURTIS

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2024

  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Russell M. 
Nelson Day in my home state of Utah as well as President Russell M. 
Nelson's 100th birthday.
  President Russell Marion Nelson was born on September 9, 1924, in 
Salt Lake City. While a student at the University of Utah, he met and 
married Dantzel White. They shared nearly sixty years together, raising 
ten children before Dantzel's passing in 2005. He later married Wendy 
L. Watson in April 2006, and together they are grandparents to 57 and 
great-grandparents to over 100.
  President Nelson is an internationally renowned heart surgeon and 
medical researcher. Dr. Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from 
the University of Utah. He served his residency in surgery at 
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the University of 
Minnesota, where, in addition to earning his Ph.D., he served on the 
research team that developed the heart-lung machine which successfully 
aided the first human open-heart surgery in 1951.
  During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and 
worked with surgeons focused on improving treatment methods for the 
wounded. He left with the rank of Captain.
  His accolades include the American Heart Association's Heart of Gold 
Award and the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of 
Achievement. He has held prestigious positions such as president of the 
Society for Vascular Surgery and chairman of the Council on 
Cardiovascular Surgery.
  Russell M. Nelson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 1984. He 
was called again as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints in 2018. Under his leadership, the church has played a large 
role in both domestic and international humanitarian aid efforts, with 
the faith often being among the first groups to respond with food, 
medical, and other practical aid for those enduring the effects of 
conflict and natural disaster.
  I again thank President Russell M. Nelson for a lifetime of 
achievement, service, and leadership and invite myself and my 
colleagues to look to his exemplary behavior as we find ways to better 
the lives of those we serve as members of Congress.

                          ____________________