Vic Hellard, Jr. Award Established

CONTACT: Michael Childress

FRANKFORT, KY (May 16, 1997)—The Board of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center has announced the establishment of the Vic Hellard, Jr. Award, the first of which will be given at the Center’s annual conference to be held November 20, 1997, at the Center for Rural Development, in Somerset, Kentucky.

Given in recognition of service in the interest of Kentucky’s future, the annual award is being made in memory and in honor of Mr. Hellard’s long and distinguished career of public service. As Director of the Legislative Research Commission (LRC), Mr. Hellard was a tireless champion of legislative independence, considered by many to be the cornerstone of modern governance in Kentucky. He is also widely credited as the principal architect of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center. At the time of his death on September 17, 1996, Mr. Hellard, who had retired from his LRC post, continued to serve as a member of the Center’s Board, contributing substantially to the its guidance and to its efforts to shape a vision for the future of the state and a system for evaluating progress toward its realization.

As prescribed by the Board, candidates for the Vic Hellard, Jr. award should be individuals, from the public or private sector, who have "provided sound example and leadership that is likely to result in measurable or significant progress toward those goals envisioned by Kentuckians as set forth in Center publications focusing on Kentucky's future, and who has shown a consistent commitment to one or more of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrates vision, taking into consideration the long-term implications of activities and policies in order to promote the common good and the public welfare;
  • Demonstrates innovation, finding new ways to approach challenges that face government while at the same time fostering a reverence and appreciation for history;
  • Champions the equality and dignity of every person;
  • Enhances the processes of a democratic society by promoting public dialogue on issues, focusing on informing and educating citizens and decisionmakers and by fostering greater public involvement in civic activities, including promoting opportunities for youth and careers in public service; and
  • Approaches work with commitment, caring, generosity, and humor."

Nominations for the 1997 Vic Hellard, Jr. Award should be submitted in writing to Sen. Nick Kafoglis, Chairman of the Board, Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center, 1024 Capital Center Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, by no later than October 1, 1997. Nominating letters should detail the ways in which the candidate meets the above award criteria.

The Board plans to commission an original work of art that will symbolize commitment to the future and recognize the recipient.

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