[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 122 (Tuesday, August 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO RICHARD B. SUTTON

                                 ______


                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 23, 1994

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, this last week of August marks the end of 
Richard B. Sutton's 40-year career serving Sumner County. He may be 
retiring as sheriff, but his career boasts of service in many other 
capacities. Sumner County is indeed losing an active, dedicated, and 
loyal public servant.
  Sheriff Sutton was first elected sheriff in 1968 and proceeded to 
serve the maximum of three consecutive 2-year terms. Following this, he 
was elected general sessions and juvenile judge in 1974, where he spent 
8 years helping at-risk youth.
  However, the role of sheriff seems to have suited Mr. Sutton 
perfectly. In 1982, he was reelected. Then in 1986 and 1990, he was 
reelected to continue in this position. The end of Sheriff Sutton's 
career as sheriff will, however, come to an end with his retirement 
August 26, 1994.
  Not only has Sheriff Sutton been active in elected office, but he has 
also been a prominent member of Sumner County, visible on committees 
and in associations, always willing to help where needed. The 
exhaustive list includes: Project director of TRAC House for runaways; 
vice president of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association; the board of 
directors of Sheriffs' Youth Town, a correctional camp for youth 
offenders; vice president of the General Sessions Judges Association; 
director of Sumner County Volunteer Ambulance Service; a committee 
member of the United Way Campaign; director of the Mid-Cumberland 
Council of Governments; a member of the Tennessee Law Enforcement 
Planning Commission; a member of the Hendersonville Hospital Board of 
Trustees; and a member of the Hendersonville-White House-Gallatin-
Portland Chamber of Commerce. Remarkably, this long list does not 
include all the organizations with which he has been involved or the 
awards that have been bestowed on him.
  Sheriff Sutton, along with his wife, Tennie, raised three girls in 
Sumner County. The Sutton family has been supportive through his four 
decades of public work and are active members of the College Heights 
Baptist Church.
  As for the future, Mr. Sutton plans to spend more time with his wife 
and daughters. However, for a man with such community spirit, for a man 
who knows that one person can still make a difference, old habits do 
not die easily. Fortunately, he does not plan to sever all ties with 
the organizations and boards of Sumner County.
  Please join me in thanking Sheriff Sutton for his 40 years of 
invaluable service and contribution to Sumner County. We will remember 
him fondly. Friends can celebrate with the Sutton family August 26 at 
the National Guard Armory in Gallatin.

                          ____________________