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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 28
BY SENATORS CHAISSON, ADLEY, ALARIO, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
CHABERT, CHEEK, CLAITOR, CROWE, DONAHUE, DORSEY,
ERDEY, GAUTREAUX, GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, JACKSON,
KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARIONNEAUX, MARTI NY,
MCPHERSON, MICHOT, MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH, MOUNT,
MURRAY, NEVERS, PERRY, PETERSON, QUINN, RISER, SHAW,
SMITH, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH AND WILLARD-LEWIS
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of renowned businessman and former Louisiana State Senator Ken Hollis
and to note his life of public service and his many contributions made on behalf of
the citizens of Jefferson Parish, the city of New Orleans, and the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana
had learned of the death of former state senator, Jesse Kendrick "Ken" Hollis, Jr., on
September 10, 2010, at the age of sixty-eight; and
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis was a kind, honest, consummate gentleman, a vibrant human
being with an endearing compassion for the people he represented, and an entrepreneur, who
with diligence, hard work, and astute business acumen built a successful insurance
conglomerate, Hollis Companies, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, he was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on March 13, 1942, to parents,
Jesse K. Hollis, Sr., and Roberta Brown Hollis; and
WHEREAS, after graduation from Bolton High School in 1960, he earned an
undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University in 1964,
then began his professional career with MassMutual Insurance Financial Group; and
WHEREAS, he proudly served his country from 1967 until 1974, as a captain in the
United States Army Reserves; and
WHEREAS, his life of public service began in 1980, when he was first elected to
represent the constituents of District No. 4 on the Jefferson Parish Council; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, he was elected to the Louisiana State Senate from District No.
9 where he served as the lone Republican member of the upper chamber for many years; and
WHEREAS, during that time, Senator Hollis served with distinction on numerous SCR NO. 28 ENROLLED
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Senate committees, including service as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs Committee for twelve years, chairman of the Senate
Select Committee on the Greater New Orleans Expressway, and chairman of the Senate
Select Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term
Revitalization, Jefferson Parish Subcommittee; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished tenure in the Louisiana Senate, Senator Hollis
engaged in crusades to fight for consumer protection in the realm of financial lending and
for the promotion of economic development activities throughout the state of Louisiana that
included recruitment of new businesses, retention of the New Orleans Saints, and the
completion of Harrah's Casino; and
WHEREAS, Senator Hollis authored and co-authored various critical pieces of
legislation, including the creation of the Louisiana Lottery, the creation of the Louisiana
Certified Capital Companies Program, the passage of a statewide construction code, the
creation of an office of motor vehicles toll free "hot line", the removal of the northbound
tolls on the New Orleans Causeway, prohibition against an "earnings tax", an overhaul of
the Louisiana pilots' industry, and successful passage of the "self-help" repossession law and
other important banking, insurance, and commercial regulation issues; and
WHEREAS, he championed the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation,
a state mandated insurance pool, that provided affordable homeowner's insurance in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina disaster; and
WHEREAS, as a tribute to his exemplary service to the citizens of Jefferson Parish,
Senator Hollis served in the legislature with either little or no political opposition until term
limited in 2008 after twenty-six years in the Senate; and
WHEREAS, as a patron of art and music, his efforts secured state funding for the
completion of the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie; and
WHEREAS, he gave back to the community through his many contributions to local
charities and gave special support to the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center,
an activities facility that provides equine therapy for handicapped adults and children; and
WHEREAS, on March 28, 2011, the Cancer Crusaders of New Orleans held a charity
golf tournament at English Turn Country Club and dedicated the event in the memory of SCR NO. 28 ENROLLED
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Senator Ken Hollis; and
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis enjoyed the company of others; he possessed a friendly
demeanor and a fun-loving spirit of adventure whether golfing, fishing, or tossing mullets
at the Flora-Bama; and
WHEREAS, as the son of an automobile salesman, Senator Hollis had developed a
lifelong penchant for sleek, classic cars and amassed quite a collection during his lifetime;
and
WHEREAS, in 1999, he married the former Diane Woods and together, with their
blended families, celebrated eleven years of love and devotion with sons Michael, Paul, and
Jesse K. "Trey" Hollis III, and with daughters Heather Menendez, Jennifer Stephens, and
Casie Woods, plus a host of precious grandchildren, extended family, and friends; and
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis shall be remembered by his many contemporaries in the
Senate for his fearlessness, his tireless work ethic, and his ability to speak directly from his
heart; as a legislator, he was tenacious and bold, always focused on the task at hand; always
engaging and hard working; and
WHEREAS, Ken Hollis was a man with a generous heart who shared his invaluable
knowledge with others; he proved himself to be a man of many talents, a man of his word,
and a man whose dedication to this state and its people was without par; and
WHEREAS, he wore the mantle of community service proudly and willingly while
extending courtesy and friendship to all; and
WHEREAS, although the passing of Ken Hollis has left a tremendous void in his
community, he leaves a rich and unique legacy that shall live on in the hearts of all who
knew him throughout the halls of this legislature and the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in the holy scriptures, St. Paul the Apostle wrote .."For I am now ready
to be offered up and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, and I have kept the faith."
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of Senator Ken Hollis,
businessman, civic leader, and legislator, and does hereby acknowledge a life well-spent in
service to his country, his community, and his state. SCR NO. 28 ENROLLED
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to his
widow, Mrs. Diane W. Hollis, and family.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES