[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO J. RUSSELL KEITH IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICE TO 
                OHIO'S STATE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2005

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special 
tribute to a friend and ally of the public employers and employees of 
the State of Ohio. Since 1994, J. Russell Keith has served as General 
Counsel for the State Employment Relations Board. As he prepares to 
depart the Board after nearly eleven years of dedicated service, the 
many state employers and employees of Ohio's Fifth Congressional 
District offer our thanks.
  As General Counsel, J. Russell Keith has provided legal direction to 
SERB as its members work to protect the rights of the public sector, 
which includes nearly 365,000 public employees under Ohio Revised Code 
4117. For more than a decade, Russ has worked tirelessly to craft 
thoughtful and fair labor law for Ohio's public sector. As an 
accomplished attorney, Russ has been a determined advocate for the 
people of Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker, the General Counsel to SERB has many responsibilities. 
One must provide legal support for the Board, draft and issue unfair 
labor practice complaints, oversee the Investigations Section, 
supervise the Hearings and Representation Sections, and assist Board 
members in the preparation of opinions and orders. Under his 
leadership, decisions were seldom appealed and rarely reversed. In 
addition to serving as General Counsel, on two occasions J. Russell 
Keith also lent his formidable management skills as Acting Executive 
Director of SERB. While his responsibilities have been substantial, 
Russ has performed superbly and served the people of the State of Ohio 
admirably.
  Throughout Russ's accomplished career, he has enjoyed a broad range 
of legal experiences. After graduating from Capital University Law 
School, Russ served as an Attorney/Law Clerk for Ohio's Fourth District 
Court of Appeals. Later, Russ quickly became Chief Legal Counsel to the 
Ohio Bureau of Employment Services where he directed a legal program 
affecting nearly 230,000 Ohio employers.
  The consummate professionalism with which J. Russell Keith has served 
the people of the State of Ohio by crafting evolving state labor 
decisions, primarily on issues of bargaining, deserves the highest 
commendation. His proficiency as General Counsel, leadership as Acting 
Executive Director, and compassion as a friend of all Ohioans will be 
sorely missed upon his departure from the State Employment Relations 
Board.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute 
to J. Russell Keith in recognition of his superlative administrative 
service to Ohio's State Employment Relations Board. On behalf of the 
people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize his many 
accomplishments. We wish Russ and his family all the best as we salute 
one of Ohio's finest citizens.

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