Victor "Vic" Hellard Jr. (1964 - 1965)

Full Name: Victor Wilcox Hellard Jr. 

Education: B.A. Political Science (1966), J.D. University of Kentucky (1968)

Year Elected: Junior

Involvment: Sigma Chi Delta, Student Council 

Student Political Affiliation: Keep Eastern Growing (K.E.G.) Party 

Victor Wilcox “Vic” Jr. graduated from EKU in 1966 with a degree in political science, and later graduated from the UK’s Law School with a JD in 1968. He was elected twice to serve as a state representative for Jessamine and Woodford County from 1972 - 1974. He went on to serve for nineteen years as the Director of the Legislative Research Commision in Frankfort, Kentucky. During his tenure he transformed the commission into what it is today, and for his efforts the Vic Hellard Jr. Award is given annually to an outstanding nonpartisan legislative staffer. When he passed in 1996, the following speech was delivered on the floor of the United States Senate:

"For over 20 years, Vic Hellard Jr ... worked behind the scenes as the glue that held the Kentucky General Assembly together. Vic Hellard was born and raised in Versailles, KY, the son of a Ford dealer. He received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University and earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky. In fact, Vic and I attended law school together. He later practiced law in Versailles and was twice elected to the State House of Representatives. After a year as chief counsel to House Speaker Bill Kenton, Mr. Hellard was hired as director of the Legislative Research Commission– the administrative and research arm of the General Assembly. He held this position from 1977 until his retirement in 1995. This career spanned a period of sweeping change in Kentucky government. Former House Speaker Bobby Richardson told the Courier-Journal, ``Vic's legacy is that he turned the LRC into a professional, informed support staff for the legislature, which allowed the legislature to become an equal partner with the governor.'' Attorney General Ben Chandler said of Mr. Hellard, ``He was the shepherd of legislative independence, but he never accepted the credit he deserved for anything he did. That was part of his charm.'' Mr. Hellard was also known for remaining above the fray. He was always courteous to lawmakers regardless of their party affiliation or seniority. He always avoided partisan and factional rivalries.” - Senator Mitch McConnell (9/25/1996)