- Record: Extensions of Remarks
- Section type: Recognition
- Chamber: House
- Date: May 19, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
HON. MICHAEL GUEST
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life and legacy of Mr. John Lyle Keenan of Jasper County, Mississippi. Mr. Keenan was a respected law enforcement officer and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and friend whose service and character left a lasting mark on his community.
Born in Rose Hill, Mississippi, Mr. Keenan graduated from Heidelberg High School in 1964. He began his career at La-Z-Boy in Newton before entering public service as a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office. In 1977, he joined the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks as a Conservation Officer, where he served with distinction for more than three decades. He rose to the rank of Captain for District IV before retiring in 2010. Two years later, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors appointed him interim sheriff, and he concluded his law enforcement career as a bailiff for the Circuit Court.
Mr. Keenan's dedication to public service extended well beyond his official duties. He was deeply committed to the stewardship of Mississippi's natural resources and served as Jasper County Director of the Pat Harrison Waterway District. He also held leadership roles as president of the Jasper Farm Bureau, the Jasper County Soil and Water Commission, the Meridian Stockyard Board of Directors, the Mississippi Pork Producers, and the Heidelberg Academy Athletic Booster Club.
including the Jasper County Forestry Association, the Jasper County Livestock Association, and the Bay Springs Lions Club, in his personal time, he worked in forestry management, raised swine and cattle, and maintained a garden, reflecting a lifelong connection to the land and the people who depend on it.
Mr. Keenan was widely regarded as a man of integrity, honor, loyalty, and wisdom. Many sought his counsel on both personal and professional matters, a testament to the trust he earned throughout his life. He was a faithful member of Wesley Independent Methodist Church, where he lived out the values that guided his service.
Mr. Keenan will be deeply missed not only by his family but by the entire Jasper County community. It is a privilege to recognize his life, his service, and his enduring commitment to the people of Mississippi, here in the United States House of Representatives.