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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 28
BY SENATOR CHAISSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of former senator, Ken Hollis.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
passing of renowned businessman and former Louisiana State Senator Ken Hollis3
and to note his life of public service and his many contributions made on behalf of4
the citizens of Jefferson Parish, the city of New Orleans, and the state of Louisiana.5
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana6
had learned of the death of former state senator, Jesse Kendrick "Ken" Hollis, Jr., on7
September 10, 2010, at the age of sixty-eight; and8
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis was a kind, honest, consummate gentleman, a vibrant human9
being with an endearing compassion for the people he represented, and an entrepreneur, who10
with diligence, hard work, and astute business acumen built a successful insurance11
conglomerate, Hollis Companies, Inc.; and12
WHEREAS, he was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on March 13, 1942, to parents,13
Jesse K. Hollis, Sr., and Roberta Brown Hollis; and14
WHEREAS, after graduation from Bolton High School in 1960, he earned an15
undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University in 1964,16
then began his professional career with MassMutual Insurance Financial Group; and17
WHEREAS, he proudly served his country from 1967 until 1974, as a captain in the18 SCR NO. 28
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United States Army Reserves; and1
WHEREAS, his life of public service began in 1980, when he was first elected to2
represent the constituents of District No. 4 on the Jefferson Parish Council; and3
WHEREAS, in 1982, he was elected to the Louisiana State Senate from District No.4
9 where he served as the lone Republican member of the upper chamber for many years; and5
WHEREAS, during that time, Senator Hollis served with distinction on numerous6
Senate committees, including service as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer7
Protection, and International Affairs Committee for twelve years, chairman of the Senate8
Select Committee on the Greater New Orleans Expressway, and chairman of the Senate9
Select Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term10
Revitalization, Jefferson Parish Subcommittee; and11
WHEREAS, during his distinguished tenure in the Louisiana Senate, Senator Hollis12
engaged in crusades to fight for consumer protection in the realm of financial lending and13
for the promotion of economic development activities throughout the state of Louisiana that14
included recruitment of new businesses, retention of the New Orleans Saints, and the15
completion of Harrah's Casino; and16
WHEREAS, Senator Hollis authored and co-authored various critical pieces of17
legislation, including the creation of the Louisiana Lottery, the creation of the Louisiana18
Certified Capital Companies Program, the passage of a statewide construction code, the19
creation of an office of motor vehicles toll free "hot line", the removal of the northbound20
tolls on the New Orleans Causeway, prohibition against an "earnings tax", an overhaul of21
the Louisiana pilots' industry, and successful passage of the "self-help" repossession law and22
other important banking, insurance, and commercial regulation issues; and23
WHEREAS, he championed the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation,24
a state mandated insurance pool, that provided affordable homeowner's insurance in the25
wake of Hurricane Katrina disaster; and26
WHEREAS, as a tribute to his exemplary service to the citizens of Jefferson Parish,27
Senator Hollis served in the legislature with either little or no political opposition until term28
limited in 2008 after twenty-six years in the Senate; and29
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WHEREAS, as a patron of art and music, his efforts secured state funding for the1
completion of the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie; and2
WHEREAS, he gave back to the community through his many contributions to local3
charities and gave special support to the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center,4
an activities facility that provides equine therapy for handicapped adults and children; and5
WHEREAS, on March 28, 2011, the Cancer Crusaders of New Orleans held a charity6
golf tournament at English Turn Country Club and dedicated the event in the memory of7
Senator Ken Hollis; and8
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis enjoyed the company of others; he possessed a friendly9
demeanor and a fun-loving spirit of adventure whether golfing, fishing, or tossing mullets10
at the Flora-Bama; and11
WHEREAS, as the son of an automobile salesman, Senator Hollis had developed a12
lifelong penchant for sleek, classic cars and amassed quite a collection during his lifetime;13
and14
WHEREAS, in 1999, he married the former Diane Woods and together, with their15
blended families, celebrated eleven years of love and devotion with sons Michael, Paul, and16
Jesse K. "Trey" Hollis III, and with daughters Heather Menendez, Jennifer Stephens, and17
Casie Woods, plus a host of precious grandchildren, extended family, and friends; and 18
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis shall be remembered by his many contemporaries in the19
Senate for his fearlessness, his tireless work ethic, and his ability to speak directly from his20
heart; as a legislator, he was tenacious and bold, always focused on the task at hand; always21
engaging and hard working; and22
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis was a man with a generous heart who shared his invaluable23
knowledge with others; he proved himself to be a man of many talents, a man of his word,24
and a man whose dedication to this state and its people was without par; and25
WHEREAS, he wore the mantle of community service proudly and willingly while26
extending courtesy and friendship to all; and 27
WHEREAS, although the passing of Ken Hollis has left a tremendous void in his28
community, he leaves a rich and unique legacy that shall live on in the hearts of all who29
knew him throughout the halls of this legislature and the state of Louisiana; and30 SCR NO. 28
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WHEREAS, in the holy scriptures, St. Paul the Apostle wrote .."For I am now ready1
to be offered up and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have2
finished my course, and I have kept the faith."3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby4
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of Senator Ken Hollis,5
businessman, civic leader, and legislator, and does hereby acknowledge a life well-spent in6
service to his country, his community, and his state.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to his8
widow, Mrs. Diane W. Hollis, and family.9
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Chaisson SCR No. 28
Expresses condolences upon the death of former senator, Ken Hollis, of Metairie, Louisiana.