SLS 25RS-145 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY SENATOR BARROW
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Arch-Bishop/Dr. Joyce Turner Keller for her twenty-four
years of commitment to combating HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend Arch-Bishop/Dr. Joyce Turner Keller for her unwavering dedication to
3 combating HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination and for her years of service as a
4 minister, advocate, and community leader.
5 WHEREAS, Arch-Bishop/Dr. Joyce Turner Keller, a native of Slaughter, Louisiana,
6 has demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity, transforming
7 her personal challenges into a lifelong mission to educate, support, and advocate for
8 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS; and
9 WHEREAS, in 1995, Arch-Bishop/Dr. Keller survived a violent attack that
10 ultimately resulted in her being diagnosed with HIV six years later, a revelation that led her
11 to become an outspoken advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and treatment; and
12 WHEREAS, recognizing the widespread stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, Arch-
13 Bishop/Dr. Keller has tirelessly worked to dismantle misinformation and fear, speaking
14 before congressional groups in Washington, D.C., many, many times to advocate for
15 increased awareness, resources, and support; and
16 WHEREAS, Arch-Bishop/Dr. Keller is the founder of Travelers of Christ
17 Evangelistic Ministry, an interdenominational organization dedicated to spreading faith and
18 providing support to those in need, and has incorporated HIV/AIDS education into her
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SLS 25RS-145 ORIGINAL
1 ministry; and
2 WHEREAS, she is also the founder of Aspirations, a nonprofit organization that
3 educates youth on violence prevention, self-esteem building, conflict resolution, and
4 HIV/AIDS awareness, helping young people make informed and healthy life choices; and
5 WHEREAS, Arch-Bishop/Dr. Keller has dedicated her life to comforting and
6 supporting those living with HIV/AIDS, recognizing that loneliness and societal rejection
7 are as harmful as the disease itself, and advocating for acceptance and compassion within
8 families and faith communities; and
9 WHEREAS, she has had a diverse and accomplished career, working as a paralegal,
10 seamstress, paraprofessional educator, and even a flight attendant, all while pursuing
11 academic studies at Louisiana State University, Southern University, and William Carey
12 University in theology, art, psychology, gerontology, and African-American history; and
13 WHEREAS, she received her doctorate in theology in 2009 from Belle Glades
14 Theological Center, further cementing her commitment to her faith-based advocacy work;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, despite the physical toll of AIDS, Arch-Bishop/Dr. Keller remains
17 tireless in her activism, maintaining a disciplined routine of exercise and proper nutrition to
18 stay strong, often using her personal experiences and medicine regimen as teaching tools to
19 educate youth on the realities of living with HIV/AIDS; and
20 WHEREAS, her impactful work has been recognized nationally, including the
21 Honoree Champion for Children Award from the Children's Defense Fund Beat the Odds
22 program in 2011, being profiled in the July/August issue of "Positive Aware Magazine" in
23 Chicago, Illinois and receiving a nomination for the "L'Oréal Paris Woman of the Year 2009
24 Award"; and
25 WHEREAS, Arch-Bishop/Dr. Keller's work has reached beyond the borders of the
26 United States, including faith-based missions in Africa, where she furthered her commitment
27 to human rights and health advocacy; and
28 WHEREAS, her story is one of faith, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to
29 uplifting others, and her legacy as an advocate and minister continues to inspire countless
30 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and beyond.
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SLS 25RS-145 ORIGINAL
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
2 does hereby commend Arch-Bishop/Dr. Joyce Turner Keller for her outstanding
3 contributions to HIV/AIDS education and advocacy, her dedication to eradicating stigma and
4 discrimination, and her commitment to empowering individuals and communities through
5 faith, education, and compassion.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Arch-
7 Bishop/Dr. Joyce Turner Keller.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SR 5 Original 2025 Regular Session Barrow
Commends Arch-Bishop/Dr. Joyce Turner Keller for her outstanding contributions to
HIV/AIDS education and advocacy, her dedication to eradicating stigma and discrimination,
and her commitment to empowering individuals and communities through faith, education,
and compassion.
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