1999 Hellard Award Presented |
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BOWLING GREEN, KY (November 18, 1999) — House Speaker Jody Richards presented the third annual Vic Hellard Jr. Award here today at the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center’s annual conference. This year’s recipient is Mary Helen Miller, a retired state government executive whose career began in the classroom and went on to include high-level posts in both the legislative and executive branches under two governors. Miller continues to add to a long list of contributions as a volunteer, working in both Shelbyville and Louisville to advance economic development, enhance the performing arts, and improve quality of life, and serving on a number of boards. Prior to her retirement in 1995, Miller served as Chief Executive Officer for Administration for the administration of Gov. Brereton Jones, directing the operations of the governor’s office, and as Legislative Liaison, coordinating the legislative agenda. During Gov. Martha Layne Collin’s administration, Miller served first as Chief Executive Assistant for Internal Affairs, directing operations in the governor’s office and acting as a liaison to national organizations of government officials. As Secretary of the Cabinet for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection during the Collins’ administration, Miller was instrumental in negotiating the settlement of a lawsuit against the Cabinet that ultimately brought millions of dollars into the Commonwealth for the enforcement of strip mining laws. From 1979 to 1983, Miller served as Assistant Director of the Legislative Research Commission under Vic Hellard Jr., coordinating the agency’s full range of activities. The Hellard Award is made annually in honor and 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. John Schaaf, General Counsel for the Legislative Research Commission, observed that Miller had played an instrumental role in strengthening the capacity of the Legislative Research Commission and, in turn, the Kentucky General Assembly. Miller, said Schaaf, worked closely with Hellard “to shape a strong and knowledgeable legislative staff” to effectively support the General Assembly and enable it to “make policy decisions without excessive reliance on the executive branch of state government.” Like Hellard, whose performances in community theatre productions delighted audiences throughout central Kentucky, Miller shares a love of the theatre and has worked as a volunteer and member of the Shelby County Community Theatre Board of Directors. “In so many ways, Mary Helen Miller has made valuable contributions to improving life in Kentucky,” Schaaf observed. “From her first career as a school teacher, through her years as a state official and board member, Ms. Miller has touched thousands of lives and influenced countless important policy decisions. And she has done it all with a gentleness and good humor which is reminiscent of her good friend and colleague, Vic Hellard.” 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, which was often embellished with theatrical flourishes. Each year, the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center Board of Directors selects the Hellard Award recipient from among nominations submitted by the public. |