1997 Hellard
Award |
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FRANKFORT, KY (November 20, 1997) — Gov. Paul E. Patton will present the first annual Vic Hellard, Jr., Award today for the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center and its Board of Directors at the Center’s annual conference in Somerset. Judge Anthony M. Wilhoit, recently retired Chief Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals and now Executive Director of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, is this year’s recipient. Judge Wilhoit served for 21 years as a Judge on the Court of Appeals of Kentucky, the state’s second highest court, and, beginning in 1996, as its Chief Judge. The Court of Appeals is responsible for thoughtful, timely review and careful research of contested decisions of lower courts. Its opinions often exert profound influence on interpretation of the law. Judge Wilhoit, 62, is the last of the original 14 judges appointed to the Appeals Court in 1976 after Kentucky voters approved a judicial article that restructured the state’s court system. All 14 of the original appointees were required to run for eight-year terms in the same year of their appointment. Judge Wilhoit was elected to his judicial post for three consecutive terms. Judge Wilhoit began his career as a police judge and as city attorney for Versailles. In 1967, he became County Attorney for Woodford County and served until 1972 when he became a state public defender. In 1972, Judge Wilhoit was named to the Kentucky Crime Commission and, in 1975, appointed to the post of Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Department of Justice. He holds an A.B. from Thomas More College, a graduate degree and a law degree from the University of Kentucky, and a degree in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia Law School. Among other distinctions, Judge Wilhoit has served on the Judicial Ethics Committee, the Kentucky Bar Association’s Long-Range Planning Committee, the Family Law Task Force, the Kentucky Task Force on Gender Fairness in the Courts, and the Governor’s Task Force on the Delivery and Funding of Quality Public Defender Services. The Hellard Award is being given in honor and in memory of Vic Hellard, Jr., the long-time director of the Legislative Research Commission who died in 1996. Hellard, who was serving on the Center’s Board at the time of his death, is credited with advancing the concept of this futures oriented research center. In his long and distinguished career, Hellard, who was an attorney, served in the House of Representatives for two terms, then assumed the helm of the Legislative Research Commission. In that capacity, he championed the cause of legislative independence and played an instrumental role in the modernization of the legislative process in Kentucky. The Hellard Award recognizes an individual for his or her work in the interest of the future of the Commonwealth. Criteria for the award include the demonstration of long- term vision and innovation, championship of the equality and dignity of every person, efforts to enhance the processes of a democratic society, and an approach to work distinguished by commitment, caring, generosity, and humor. Hellard was beloved for his playful wit, often complete with theatrical flourishes. He frequently acted in community theatre in and around central Kentucky. The Hellard Award recipient was selected by the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center’s Board from among nominations submitted by the public.
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