[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 102 (Monday, July 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          IN MEMORY OF VICTORIA ``VIKKI'' BUCKLEY (1947-1999)

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 1999

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Colorado 
State Secretary, Victoria ``Vikki'' Buckley: a wife and mother of 
three, a public servant, a self made individual, and a leading citizen 
of the Denver Metro Area, in Colorado, who passed away last week.
  Vikky Buckley was a courageous political leader who worked in the 
Secretary of State office for the citizens of Colorado for more than a 
quarter century. Few realize that Vikki, a Denver Native, began working 
in the secretary of state office 28 years earlier. She had been a 
welfare mom and actively removed herself from a system that she 
believed fosters dependency.
  Many people have read about individuals who lift themselves through 
their own dedication and efforts, but it is seldom that they rise so 
quickly to an elected office. Vikki was educated in the Denver Public 
Schools attending East High School. She continued her education at 
Metro State College and then the Seible School of Engineering in 
Englewood where she received an Associates Degree in drafting. She was 
an active participant at Heritage Christian Center and in various 
political organizations including the Aurora Republican Forum and the 
Araphahoe County Republican Men's Club. She spoke frequently on issues 
of community and inclusion from the perspective of an American woman 
who happened to be black and Republican.
  Elected Secretary of State in 1994, Vikki was the first American of 
African descent elected to a statewide constitutional office in 
Colorado. As a Republican, she was noted as the highest ranking African 
American female holding statewide office in America. She has been 
featured in publications from the controversial Limbaugh Letter (June 
1999) to the Ladies Home Journal (``Against All Odds'').
  She was a rising star that believed in making government work for 
people. She was loved by friends and admired for her courage of 
conviction. My heart goes out to her entire family upon their loss. I 
am honored to have known Vikki.
  Governor Bill Owens released the following statement, ``I join all 
Coloradans in being deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Colorado 
Secretary of State Vikki Buckley. She overcame many challenges in life 
and achieved high office in our state through determination and hard 
work. Vikki's competitive spirit paved the way for her election as 
Colorado's first African-American Secretary of State. Frances and I and 
our three three children express our profound sympathy to Vikki's 
family on behalf of all Coloradans and our appreciation for her many 
years of service to our state.''
  Let the permanent Record of the Congress of the United States show 
that Vikki Buckley was a tireless advocate for the people of Colorado, 
and a friend of America.

                          ____________________