[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF JOHN H. KELLER, SR., OF LIMA, OH UPON HIS 90TH 
                                BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a true public servant and 
model citizen on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
  On March 12, 1909, John H. Keller, Sr., was born in Lima, OH. In 
1927, John graduated from Lima Central High School, where he was 
president of the Allen County Wheelman--a group of bicycling 
enthusiasts. He went on to Bluffton College, where he graduated on June 
10, 1931. He received further instruction at Northwestern University's 
Garrett Theological Seminary in Chicago. He married Charlotte Mary 
Basinger in 1936.
  John Keller is above all else a tireless civic participant. He has 
committed himself to witness and take part in countless governmental 
meetings which deliberate for the public good and he has served as a 
board member for agencies such as the city of Lima Tree Commission 
among others.
  From 1941 through 1974, John worked as a brakeman and conductor on 
the Nickel Plate Road and on the Norfolk & Western Railway. He was an 
officer of Local No. 457 of the United Transportation Union, and past-
president and legislative representative (1950-1974) of Lodge No. 200 
of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
  Mr. Keller has recently retired from the board of trustees of the 
Allen County Historical Society after five decades of service. Mr. 
Keller is recognized as a respected expert on railroads. The Allen 
County Historical Museum's impressive collection of railroad artifacts, 
records, and memorabilia, reported to be one of the best in the Nation 
and named the John H. Keller Collection, is a direct result of Mr. 
Keller's outstanding reputation in his field.
  Besides being able to recount much of Allen County's history, John 
Keller, has been an active participant in shaping much of it for over 
80 years. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his 90th 
birthday and wish him many, many more.

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