[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16212]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        TRIBUTE TO VIKKI BUCKLEY

  (Mr. SCHAFFER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
contributions of Vikki Buckley, Colorado's Secretary of State, who 
passed away yesterday after suffering an apparent heart attack on 
Tuesday.
  Quoting a friend of hers, ``Vikki's no longer in the hands of 
doctors. She's now in the arms of God.''
  Vikki proudly proclaimed herself to not be a hyphenated American. She 
held the distinction of being the first black Secretary of State and 
the first female black candidate elected as a Republican for a 
statewide constitutional office.
  She is an outspoken conservative. Vikki served as the States chief 
election official and traveled around the State and country speaking 
out on various issues of importance to her.
  Most recently, she gave the opening remarks at the National Rifle 
Association's annual meeting in Denver. Her speech has been 
acknowledged nationwide as among the most insightful concerning the 
heart of humanity and preserving the entire Constitution of the United 
States, including the second amendment.
  I for one got to know Vikki quite well. In 1994, I was a statewide 
candidate Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, and I spent 
almost the whole year on the campaign trail with Vikki. She is one who 
cares passionately about her country. She is an inspiration to all who 
knew her. She was deeply devoted to her family.
  Although she is gone and away from us now, her inspiration and memory 
will inspire Americans for generations to come. I pray that God 
receives her openly into his heavenly kingdom and that her soul and all 
of the souls of those who have departed in faith rest in peace.

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