2024 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 163
BY SENATORS BOUDREAUX, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BARROW, BASS, BOUIE,
CARTER, CATHEY, CLOUD, CONNICK, COUSSAN, DUPLESSIS,
EDMONDS, FESI, FIELDS, FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY, HENSGENS,
HODGES, JACKSON-ANDREWS, JENKINS, KLEINPETER,
LAMBERT, LUNEAU, MCMATH, MIGUEZ, MILLER, MIZELL,
MORRIS, OWEN, PRESSLY, PRICE, REESE, SEABAUGH, STINE,
TALBOT, WHEAT AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate John Keller upon the occasion of his retirement and
recognize and honor his life, service, contributions and the sacrifices he made for his
community and country.
WHEREAS, John Isaac Keller was born in Baton Rouge on February 16, 1944, and
baptized at an early age at Rose Hill Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, he attended McKinley High School, where he excelled in both track and
football, graduating in 1962; and
WHEREAS, following high school, John pursued higher education at Southern
University in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, after three years of college, John answered the call to serve his country
and was drafted into the United States Army, undergoing basic training at Ft. Polk in
Leesville, Louisiana, and subsequently serving in Vietnam with distinction as part of a
reconnaissance patrol unit; and
WHEREAS, John's dedication and bravery were evident as he fought for survival in
Vietnam, enduring hardships and ultimately contracting malaria, for which he was awarded
the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, upon his honorable discharge from the army in 1968, John returned to
civilian life, bravely facing the challenges of post-traumatic stress syndrome; and
WHEREAS, despite these challenges, John found solace and purpose in coaching
BREC's South Baton Rouge Senior Rams football team, where he served as offensive
coordinator from 1983 to 2005, leading the team to numerous championships and mentoring
outstanding athletes, including Warrick Dunn, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and Ben Bankston;
and
WHEREAS, John's contributions to the community extended beyond the football
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field, as he dedicated himself to public service, working part-time for the Louisiana Senate
and eventually being elected by that body as Sergeant at Arms in 2004, a position he
honorably held until 2024; and
WHEREAS, John Keller is also celebrated as a proud parent to one son, Travis, and
five daughters, Nicole, Monica, Tammy, Chirquetea, and Jonique; and
WHEREAS, his legacy of service, resilience, and dedication to others will forever
inspire and be remembered by all who have the privilege of knowing him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate John Keller upon the occasion of his retirement and
recognize and honor his life, service, contributions and the sacrifices he made for his
community and country.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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