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A RESOLUTION honoring the life and accomplishments of Governor Julian 1
Morton Carroll. 2
WHEREAS, the third of eleven children, Julian Morton Carroll was born in West 3
Paducah, Kentucky, on April 16, 1931, to the late Elvie Buster and Eva Heady Carroll; 4
and 5
WHEREAS, after graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 6
1956, Julian Carroll began his career as an attorney in the United States Air Force, 7
serving for three years before returning to Paducah, Kentucky to practice law; and 8
WHEREAS, in January 1960, Julian Carroll led a public referendum campaign to 9
allow the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide electricity to McCracken County. The 10
referendum passed by a three-to-one margin and was a success that set the stage for 11
Julian Carroll to serve more than three decades in elected office; and 12
WHEREAS, Julian Carroll served five terms in the Kentucky House of 13
Representatives, which included serving in the role as Speaker of the House from 1968 to 14
1970. He was then elected Lieutenant Governor in 1971 and eventually succeeded 15
Governor Wendell Ford, who left for the United States Senate before his term as 16
Governor ended; and 17
WHEREAS, in 1975, Julian Carroll won a full term as Governor with a record 18
margin of victory. His legacy as Kentucky Governor has had a long-lasting impact across 19
judicial, educational, recreational, and safety areas; and 20
WHEREAS, as Governor, Julian Carroll implemented a modernization of the state's 21
judicial system and championed legislation to eliminate the private bail-bond system. He 22
transformed the public school system by investing in teacher salaries, eliminating fees for 23
required classes, and providing free texts books. He also established a School Building 24
Authority to help poor school districts build new schools; and 25
WHEREAS, Julian Carroll also expanded the state park system. His opposition to 26
damming the Red River saved Red River Gorge, where many Kentuckians go to hike, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1241
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camp, fish, and enjoy Kentucky's beautiful landscape with their families; and 1
WHEREAS, Julian Carroll took on national roles when he served as chairman of 2
the National Governor's Association and co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional 3
Commission; and 4
WHEREAS, following his service as Governor, Julian Carroll received several 5
honorary degrees. He concluded his public service career in the Kentucky State Senate, 6
where he served from 2004 to 2020; and 7
WHEREAS, Julian Carroll is survived by his children, Ken (Jenny), Patrice, and 8
Elly; grandchildren, Chris (Niki), Jason, John Bradley, Clayton, Emma, Sam, and Max; 9
great-grandchildren, Evie, Lynlee, and Liam; and siblings, Neel Carroll, David Carroll, 10
Jane Erickson, and Tommy Carroll; and 11
WHEREAS, Julian Carroll was laid to rest on Saturday December 16, 2023, at 12
Frankfort Cemetery, surrounded by loved ones, community members, and colleagues; 13
and 14
WHEREAS, Julian Carroll spent a lifetime in service to the great people of the 15
Commonwealth of Kentucky, whom he loved with all his heart; 16
NOW, THEREFORE, 17
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 18
Kentucky: 19
Section 1. The members of the Senate do hereby honor the life and 20
accomplishments of former Kentucky Governor Julian Morton Carroll and posthumously 21
recognize him for his dedication to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its citizens, 22
serving not only as Governor but also as Lieutenant Governor, a member and Speaker of 23
the House of Representatives, and a member of the Senate. 24
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 25
Resolution to Senator Gerald Neal. 26