Representative Howard Curtis Nielson

Howard Curtis Nielson (September 12, 1924 – May 20, 2020) was an American educator and Republican politician who represented Utah’s 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1983, to January 3, 1991. Over four terms in Congress, he contributed to the legislative process during a significant period in American history, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of his Utah constituents.

Nielson was born in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah, where his paternal grandparents had settled after immigrating from Denmark. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1942. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1946, attaining the rank of sergeant. Following his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah in 1947 and a Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon in 1949. He continued his studies at Stanford University, where he received an M.B.A. in 1956 and a Ph.D. in 1958.

After completing his doctoral studies, Nielson embarked on an academic career. He joined the faculty of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he founded the Department of Statistics, helping to establish and shape the university’s program in that discipline. His work as an educator and administrator reflected a long-standing interest in higher education and public policy, which later informed his service in state and national government. He also served as an associate commissioner on the Utah Commission for Higher Education for two years, further deepening his involvement in educational governance.

Nielson’s formal political career began at the state level. A committed Republican, he was a delegate to the Utah State Republican Conventions from 1960 to 1982. He was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 1967 and served there until 1974. During his final term in the state legislature, he was chosen as Speaker of the House, a role in which he exercised significant influence over legislative priorities and procedures. His state-level experience, combined with his background in education and statistics, laid the groundwork for his later federal legislative service.

In 1982, Nielson was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Utah’s newly created 3rd congressional district. He served four consecutive terms from January 3, 1983, to January 3, 1991. During his tenure in Congress, Nielson engaged in a wide range of policy issues. He sponsored two resolutions calling on Israel to reopen Palestinian schools and colleges, reflecting his interest in international human rights and education. In 1985, he was one of just two members to vote against a resolution urging Taiwan to extradite Chen Chi-li, the gangster responsible for the murder of dissident journalist Henry Liu in San Francisco, a stance that drew national attention. Domestically, he cosponsored legislation to limit tobacco advertising and was a leading proponent of releasing the names of individuals who tested positive for AIDS to public health officials, arguing this would assist in disease control. He was also one of the principal negotiators of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, playing a key role in shaping landmark environmental legislation. In addition, he was an early advocate for rating song lyrics, anticipating later debates over content labeling in music and media.

Nielson chose not to seek reelection to Congress in 1990, retiring from the House after his fourth term. He did so in part to allow him and his wife to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they served missions in both Australia and Hungary, reflecting his long-standing religious commitment and interest in international service. He later returned to elective office at the state level and, in 1996, was elected to the Utah State Senate, continuing his involvement in public policy and Republican Party affairs.

In his personal life, Nielson married Julia, with whom he had seven children—three sons and four daughters. One of their children, Howard C. Nielson Jr., followed his father into public service and was appointed a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Utah, beginning his service on the federal bench in 2019. Nielson’s first wife, Julia, died in 2003. He later married Donna Esther Brown, herself a widow and the sister of his former House colleague, Representative Ron Packard of California. Donna died in 2015 from bone marrow cancer. Howard Curtis Nielson died on May 20, 2020, at the age of 95, leaving a legacy as an educator, state legislator, and four-term member of Congress from Utah.