[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S11318]]



                      TRIBUTE TO VIC HELLARD, JR.

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
man who dedicated most of his career to making Kentucky government run 
more smoothly. For over 20 years, Vic Hellard, Jr., who passed away 
September 18, worked behind the scenes as the glue that held the 
Kentucky General Assembly together.
  Vic Hellard was born and raised in Versailles, KY, the son of a Ford 
dealer. He received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky 
University and earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky. In 
fact, Vic and I attended law school together. He later practiced law in 
Versailles and was twice elected to the State House of Representatives.
  After a year as chief counsel to House Speaker Bill Kenton, Mr. 
Hellard was hired as director of the Legislative Research Commission--
the administrative and research arm of the General Assembly. He held 
this position from 1977 until his retirement in 1995. This career 
spanned a period of sweeping change in Kentucky government.
  Former House Speaker Bobby Richardson told the Courier-Journal, 
``Vic's legacy is that he turned the LRC into a professional, informed 
support staff for the legislature, which allowed the legislature to 
become an equal partner with the governor.''
  Attorney General Ben Chandler said of Mr. Hellard, ``He was the 
shepherd of legislative independence, but he never accepted the credit 
he deserved for anything he did. That was part of his charm.''
  Mr. Hellard was also known for remaining above the fray. He was 
always courteous to lawmakers regardless of their party affiliation or 
seniority. He always avoided partisan and factional rivalries.
  Vic Hellard, Jr. is survived by his wife, Ellen Carpenter Hellard, 
his mother, Leona Tilghman Hellard, and two brothers, George D. and 
Ronald W. Hellard. I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute 
to this outstanding Kentuckian.

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