SLS 24RS-1923 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 163
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
COMMENDATIONS. Commends and congratulates John Keller upon the occasion of his
retirement and recognizes and honors his life, service, contributions and the sacrifices he
made for his community and country.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend and congratulate John Keller upon the occasion of his retirement and
3 recognize and honor his life, service, contributions and the sacrifices he made for his
4 community and country.
5 WHEREAS, John Isaac Keller was born in Baton Rouge on February 16, 1944, and
6 baptized at an early age at Rose Hill Baptist Church; and
7 WHEREAS, he attended McKinley High School, where he excelled in both track and
8 football, graduating in 1962; and
9 WHEREAS, following high school, John pursued higher education at Southern
10 University in Baton Rouge; and
11 WHEREAS, after three years of college, John answered the call to serve his country
12 and was drafted into the United States Army, undergoing basic training at Ft. Polk in
13 Leesville, Louisiana, and subsequently serving in Vietnam with distinction as part of a
14 reconnaissance patrol unit; and
15 WHEREAS, John's dedication and bravery were evident as he fought for survival in
16 Vietnam, enduring hardships and ultimately contracting malaria, for which he was awarded
17 the Purple Heart; and
18 WHEREAS, upon his honorable discharge from the army in 1968, John returned to
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SLS 24RS-1923 ORIGINAL
1 civilian life, bravely facing the challenges of post-traumatic stress syndrome; and
2 WHEREAS, despite these challenges, John found solace and purpose in coaching
3 BREC's South Baton Rouge Senior Rams football team, where he served as offensive
4 coordinator from 1983 to 2005, leading the team to numerous championships and mentoring
5 outstanding athletes, including Warrick Dunn, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and Ben Bankston;
6 and
7 WHEREAS, John's contributions to the community extended beyond the football
8 field, as he dedicated himself to public service, working part-time for the Louisiana Senate
9 and eventually being elected by that body as Sergeant at Arms in 2004, a position he
10 honorably held until 2024; and
11 WHEREAS, John Keller is also celebrated as a proud parent to one son, Travis, and
12 five daughters, Nicole, Monica, Tammy, Chirquetea, and Jonique; and
13 WHEREAS, his legacy of service, resilience, and dedication to others will forever
14 inspire and be remembered by all who have the privilege of knowing him.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
16 does hereby commend and congratulate John Keller upon the occasion of his retirement and
17 recognize and honor his life, service, contributions and the sacrifices he made for his
18 community and country.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
SR 163 Original 2024 Regular Session Boudreaux
Commends and congratulates John Keller upon the occasion of his retirement and recognizes
and honors his life, service, contributions and the sacrifices he made for his community and
country.
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