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Congressional Daily Record
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August 6, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMrs. 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.
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.
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.