THE Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of
Fame foundation
2025
Event
Meet the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
THE HON. DON M. BURKETT
The Honorable Don Burkett has dedicated over four decades to public service, becoming one of Louisiana’s most respected District Attorneys. Born in Converse, Louisiana, Don was raised with values of faith, hard work, and community service by his father, a pastor, and his mother, a schoolteacher. After graduating from Stanley High School, he earned a degree in political science from Northwestern State University and his Juris Doctorate from LSU Law School in 1977.
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Don began his career as District Attorney of the 11th Judicial District in 1985, defeating a two-term incumbent. Over 41 years - the longest tenure of any District Attorney in Louisiana history - he was re-elected six times without opposition. A hands-on prosecutor, Don personally tried nearly 50 murder cases and helped secure a state-of-the-art crime lab in Shreveport to enhance regional forensic capabilities.
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Beyond his legal career, Don served as President of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, influencing state criminal justice policy. He has also been a leader on the North Louisiana Crime Lab’s Board of Directors and the District Attorneys’ Retirement System Board of Trustees. In 2023, Don was inducted into the Louisiana Criminal Justice Hall of Fame.
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Don and his wife, Virginia, co-founded the Taylor House Shelter for domestic violence victims and have supported many local initiatives. Married for over 33 years, they are proud parents and grandparents, sharing a love of aviation and community service. Don’s career reflects his unwavering commitment to justice, leadership, and improving the lives of others.
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the hon. marion f. edwards
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Judge Marion F. Edwards, a Monroe, Louisiana native, was born on June 23, 1941, to Thelma and Joseph Marion Edwards. After graduating from Ouachita Parish High School, he attended Northeast Louisiana University before earning his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in 1967. While at Loyola, Marion formed a lifelong friendship with Harry Lee, later Jefferson Parish Sheriff, with whom he opened a law practice in Gretna.
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Marion began his legal career as Jefferson Parish’s first law clerk and later joined the District Attorney’s Office, where he became First Assistant District Attorney under John Mamoulides. During his tenure, he helped create programs like the Code 6 initiative for violent offenders and established Louisiana’s first Child Advocacy Center.
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In 1996, Marion was elected unopposed to the 24th Judicial District Court, where he pioneered one of Louisiana’s first drug courts. The program became a national model for success. He was later elected to the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, serving as Chief Judge until his 2012 retirement. Even afterward, he continued to serve courts statewide, including the Louisiana Supreme Court, in various capacities.
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A dedicated public servant, Marion was elected to the Jefferson Parish Council in 2019 and re-elected unopposed in 2023. His lifetime achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, reflecting his impact on law, justice, and community service.
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Mr. JImmy "jim" harris
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Jimmy Foster “Jim” Harris (1945–2023) was a pioneering figure in Louisiana politics and public affairs. Born in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and raised in Franklin, Louisiana, Jim’s ambition and drive were evident from an early age. After excelling in local broadcasting, he embarked on a career that would leave an indelible mark on Louisiana’s political landscape.
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In 1975, Jim’s expertise in media led to a pivotal role as press secretary for Governor Edwin Edwards’ re-election campaign. His skill in shaping the governor’s public image and managing the media earned him the nickname "The Shadow." Jim continued his work with Governor Edwards through his second term, holding key positions at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, as well as the Department of Health and Human Resources, where he played an influential role in environmental policy.
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Jim’s career took on greater significance when he served as campaign manager for Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris' 1979 gubernatorial run and later as assistant secretary of the Office of Commerce and Industry under Governor David Treen. Jim’s leadership was instrumental in bringing the Louisiana World Exposition to New Orleans in 1984, an event that showcased the state’s culture and heritage on an international stage.
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In 1984, Jim founded Harris, DeVille & Associates, a communications firm specializing in issues management. Under his leadership, the firm grew into a powerhouse, representing Fortune 100 companies and shaping public policy in Louisiana. His legacy includes helping secure transformative legislation, including a statewide building code after Hurricane Katrina, as well as major legal reforms to protect businesses and homeowners across the state.
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the hon. JAMES MAXWELL "MAX" KELLEY
James Maxwell “Max” Kelley (1952-1994) was born August 6, 1952, in Winnfield, Louisiana, the youngest of four children in the Kelley family. With deep roots in Winn Parish, Max’s mother, Florene, was a dedicated teacher, and his father, Howard, was a local business owner. Max grew up on Boundary Street in a neighborhood full of children, close to downtown Winnfield and the recreation center where he developed a love for swimming, baseball, and community life.
Max graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 1970, where he excelled in academics and extracurriculars, serving in student council, speech club, and band, and earning the title of Senior Class Favorite alongside Becky Shelton, who later became his wife. He attended Northwestern State University, earning a degree in history and political science in 1979 while working various jobs, including as a swimming instructor and sheriff’s department employee.
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Max’s passion for his hometown and politics led him to run for office, and in 1982, at age 29, he became Winnfield’s youngest mayor. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in creating the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame and establishing the Louisiana Political Museum in the historic L&A Railroad depot. He also led the Louisiana Municipal Association and promoted Winnfield’s political history and cultural heritage through numerous initiatives.
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Max married Becky Shelton in 1983, and together they raised two daughters, Katie and Caroline. His dedication to family, community, and service left an enduring legacy in Winnfield and beyond.​
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MS. CAROLYN R. PHILLIPS
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Carolyn Reber Phillips has spent 28 years shaping the Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield, Louisiana, as its first executive director. Arriving in Winnfield in 1962 with the LSU Cooperative Extension Service, Carolyn quickly immersed herself in community life, teaching life skills and mentoring youth. Her commitment to service extended far beyond education; in 1980, she revived the Louisiana Forest Festival, a celebration of Winn Parish's timber industry, and supported unique local traditions like the Hog Dog Baying Trials.
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After retiring in 1993, Carolyn accepted Mayor Deano Thornton’s invitation to lead the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame. Under her stewardship, the museum grew from a single room of memorabilia into a state-funded institution honoring over 200 inductees and award holders. Carolyn worked tirelessly to ensure the legacies of Louisiana’s political leaders were preserved and celebrated.
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Her dedication to tourism and economic development also included directing Winnfield’s Main Street program, organizing statewide bike rides, and promoting local history. Recognized as the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Winnfield Christmas Parade, Carolyn’s decades of leadership and passion have left an indelible mark on her adopted hometown.
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From her early roots in Oklahoma to her extraordinary contributions in Louisiana, Carolyn’s career exemplifies community commitment, ensuring Louisiana’s rich political heritage is preserved for generations to come.
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MS. MARSHA SHULER
Marsha Shuler, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, has dedicated her life to journalism and public service, leaving an enduring legacy in the fields of political reporting and media advocacy. Her passion for writing began at C. E. Byrd High School, where she took a journalism class and worked on the school newspaper, The High Life. This passion paved the way for her to attend Louisiana College and later Centenary College, where she served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Conglomerate.
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After graduating in 1970 with a degree in English, Marsha launched her professional career at The Shreveport Times, where she covered city hall and politics before being assigned to legislative sessions in Baton Rouge. In 1980, she joined the Capitol Bureau of the Morning Advocate-State Times newspapers, spending 35 years reporting from beneath the State Capitol steps. She covered pivotal moments in Louisiana’s political history, including the passage of right-to-work laws, Governor Edwin Edwards’ re-election campaigns, and the dismantling of the charity hospital system. Her reporting spanned seven gubernatorial administrations and earned her a reputation for insight and dedication.
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Marsha has also been an influential leader in media organizations, serving as president of the National Federation of Press Women and Louisiana Press Women. She co-founded the First Amendment Network and remains active with the Capitol Correspondents Association.
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Marsha credits her late mother, Olwen Rutherford Shuler, as her greatest influence, encouraging her to follow her dream of becoming a reporter - a dream that has inspired and informed generations.
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MR. CHARLES S. "CHARLIE" WEEMS
Charles S. Weems III, known to many as "Charlie," is a man whose distinguished career and dedication to service have profoundly shaped Louisiana’s legal, educational, and civic landscapes.
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Born during World War II in California, Charlie was raised in a family that instilled values of resilience, justice, and fairness. In 1953, the Weems family settled in Alexandria, Louisiana, where his father managed J. C. Penney and his grandfather, W.F. Bond, a Mississippi superintendent of education, inspired Charlie’s commitment to equality and opportunity.
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Charlie attended Bolton High School, excelling in academics, student leadership, and athletics. His competitive spirit and love of learning carried him to LSU, where he earned a degree in accounting. At LSU Law School, he graduated with honors, achieving Order of the Coif recognition and serving as editor-in-chief of the Louisiana Law Review.
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Following law school, Charlie served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning the American Spirit Honor Medal at Fort Polk. He continued his service with the Louisiana National Guard until 1975.
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Charlie began his legal career with Stone, Pigman in New Orleans before returning to Alexandria in 1971 to co-found what is now Gold, Weems, Bruser, Sues & Rundell. Over five decades, he has become one of Louisiana’s preeminent trial attorneys, receiving honors such as the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Attorney of the Year and induction into the LSU Law Center Hall of Fame.
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In addition to his legal achievements, Charlie’s contributions to education and civic life are unparalleled. From 1991 to 2008, he served on the LSU Board of Supervisors, chairing the board under governors from both political parties. Among his many accomplishments, Charlie was instrumental in establishing LSU at Alexandria as a four-year institution, a legacy that continues to benefit thousands of students annually.
Charlie has also served as chairman of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, founder of the Central Louisiana Diversity Alliance, and leader of the Louisiana State Law Institute, where he worked on critical law reform initiatives. His dedication to justice reform is exemplified by his role in the Louisiana Bar Association’s Citizen’s Summit, which incorporated public input into legislative action.
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Despite his numerous accolades, Charlie considers his family his greatest achievement. He is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cherishes time with his loved ones.
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