[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.

                          ____________________