[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF JENNIE MAE FREELAND KELLER

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                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 17, 2005

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a 
dynamic Hoosier who passed away yesterday December 16, 2005 at the 
grand age of 79 years old. I knew Jennie Mae Freeland Keller very well 
and she was truly a very special person. One of six children born into 
a poor and struggling family from southern Indiana, she was an art and 
music prodigy. At the age of 15 she moved from Connersville, Indiana to 
live with her older sister in Indianapolis so she could attend art 
school classes at Herron School of Art and also attend Shortridge High 
School--known for its superior music program. Jennie Mae was proud of 
having gotten straight A's all through school and later in life she 
would learn she was a Mensa. While at school she excelled with her 
chosen musical instrument--the cello--though she never read a note of 
music. It is perhaps fitting that she passed away while listening to 
the classical music she so loved in life, and with a video of America's 
most beautiful sights playing in the background.
  Described by her children as the ``Laura Petrie'' of her 
neighborhood, Jennie Mae always merrily accepted duties, such as 
collecting for the March of Dimes, or the Cancer Society--all while 
trying to raise five children. Two of those kids, Elizabeth and 
Claudia, have long been valuable members of my staff, and my heart goes 
out to them and their siblings in their time of grief. Mr. Speaker, 
Jennie Mae Keller may not go down in the history books as someone who 
changed the world, but she changed the lives of everyone around her or 
came through her life. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and 
loved her.
  I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in sending their deepest 
sympathies and heartfelt prayers to Jennie Mae Keller's family, and I 
ask unanimous consent to place a copy of Jennie Mae's obituary in the 
Congressional Record.
  Jennie Mae, Freeland Keller. Born January 30, 1926
  An accomplished artist and musician. In 1943 at the age of 17 was 
awarded the title of Miss World Peace shortly after the end of World 
War II. A loving and devoted mother and wife. A tireless volunteer for 
political freedom. A never ending fighter for what was right, and not 
just politically correct. Will be sadly missed by all that knew and 
loved her. May God Bless her.

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