[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 129 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING BENJAMIN RUSSELL

 Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, today I rise to remember the 
exceptional and abundant life of Benjamin Russell. Mr. Russell, or as 
many called him, ``Mr. Ben,'' was not just an icon in the Alexander 
City community; he was truly a trailblazer for the entire State of 
Alabama. As we celebrate his life, we honor his entrepreneurial spirit, 
boundless curiosity, and remarkable generosity. When you think of a 
life well-lived, Benjamin Russell's 88 years here on earth immediately 
come to mind.
  Mr. Russell was a lifelong resident of Alexander City, attending 
Benjamin Russell High School, named after his grandfather; Baylor 
School; Indian Springs School; Mercer University; and the University of 
Alabama. After graduating, he worked for Russell Mills for a decade 
before being elected president of Russell Lands, a family land and 
timber business. What started as a 15-person company grew into a four-
pronged organization, shaping the Lake Martin region as we know it 
today--all thanks to the steady leadership, vision, and dedication of 
Mr. Russell. Russell Lands' employment of over 500 people, operation in 
several counties across Alabama, and continuous investment in Lake 
Martin's property value are in large part thanks to Mr. Russell's 
tireless work and devotion.
  Russell Lands has continued to expand, now owning one of Alabama's 
top golf courses, the Willow Point Golf and Country Club, creating an 
entire marine division devoted to four full-service marinas on Lake 
Martin, and starting ECON Company to promote the use of waste wood as 
an energy alternative to fuel oil. Mr. Russell's leadership has been 
critical to identifying needs around his community and investing in 
smart solutions, earning him induction into the University of Alabama 
Business Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Russell's legacy extends far beyond his exceptional professional 
success. In 1987, he founded CARE, the world's largest private relief 
and development agency. As its longtime chair, he helped raise over $9 
million for the humanitarian agency through the campaign, CARE Alabama. 
Alongside his beloved wife and high school sweetheart Luanne, Mr. 
Russell cofounded Children's Harbor, a nonprofit devoted to serving the 
families of seriously and chronically ill children. He was a generous 
contributor and supporter of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children 
at Children's of Alabama, Alexander City's Russell Medical Center, and 
the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care. His philanthropy was 
transformational to the lives of children living with serious 
illnesses, as well as their families and loved ones.
  His zeal and passion for life were evident to all who had the fortune 
of knowing him. Mr. Russell poured into a constantly evolving list of 
hobbies, from aviation to scuba diving, to demolition, to water 
conservation. He was endlessly curious, brave, and rich in experience. 
He had an insatiable desire to live life to the fullest and wore many 
hats throughout his 88 years: author, welder, artist, Eagle Scout, 
skydiver, hot air balloon aeronaut--the list goes on. But his most 
treasured titles were husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. His loss 
will leave an irreplaceable hole in his family and community.
  It is an honor and a privilege to remember and honor Mr. Russell's 
consequential life. He was a cornerstone of Lake Martin and a driving 
force behind Alabama's success, and he leaves an indelible mark on our 
great State through his entrepreneurial spirit, overflowing generosity, 
and love of adventure. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he 
touched, Alabamians and Americans who visit beautiful Lake Martin, and 
generations to come who will continue to benefit from his vision and 
leadership. May we all look to his example and be inspired to leave our 
own communities better than we found them.

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