Barbara Sudler Hornby

Dated Old Photographs

Topics:

Barbara Sudler Hornby

TRIBUTE TO BARBARA SUDLER HORNBY

______

HON. DIANA DeGETTE

of colorado

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the wonderful life and exceptional accomplishments of a remarkable woman. This distinguished citizen possessed an impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service, Her achievements in preserving the heritage of Colorado merit our recognition and gratitude, It is to commend this eminent citizen that I rise to honor Barbara Sudler Hornby.

When we think about the enduring legacy of Denver and Colorado, we think of Barbara Hornby. Her life was an affirmation of our heritage and its importance to future generations. When we celebrate her life, we celebrate not only the history and edifices she worked so diligently to protect, but the stewardship and conservation of our common cultural heritage,

Barbara Hornby was born in Hawaii to U.S. Naval Commander Leo Welch and Barbara Petrikin Welch in 1925. She graduated from the University of Colorado in 1944 and during the remainder of the Second World War, she worked at Ft. Logan, Buckley Field and did research for the University of Denver. Six years later, she married Denver architect James Sudler II and while working in his architectural firm, developed the skills that would serve her well in future endeavors. Following the death of Mr. Sudler, she married former Denver Post senior editor Bill Hornby who shared both her life and her work.

Barbara Hornby served as the executive director of Historic Denver and later as both director and president of the Colorado Historical Society. She supervised the development of the four-million dollar Georgetown Loop Historic Mining and Railroad Park. She served on the Denver Landmark Commission, was vice chairwoman and trustee of the Colorado Historical Foundation and was Colorado's Historic Preservation Officer. In 1995, Colorado Preservation Inc. honored her with the Dana Crawford Award and in 2000, the University of Colorado honored her as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

Barbara's accomplishments affirm that she was indeed the keeper of our sense of place. Through Barbara, we learned to savor the richness, diversity and legacy of our forbearers, She knew that preserving our history gives us roots and an understanding of who we are as Coloradans. She raised awareness of our unique heritage and taught us to take responsibility for preservation. She reminded us to respect our historic edifices and recognize that they are living monuments for future generations. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Barbara for the care in which she protected and preserved our heritage. William Faulkner said, ``The Past is never dead. It is not even past.'' When we consider the life and accomplishments of Barbara Hornby, we see that the past is not dead, that it enriches the present and gives foundation to the future.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with Barbara's children, James Sudler III and Eleanor Sudler and her husband Bill Hornby. Please join me in celebrating the life of Barbara Sudler Hornby, as distinguished citizen. The strong leadership she exhibited during her life continues to enrich our culture and sustain our heritage as Coloradans and Americans.