[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO MR. PERCY SUTTON--DESIGNATING THE FACILITY OF THE UNITED 
STATES POSTAL SERVICE LOCATED AT 365 WEST 125TH STREET IN NEW YORK, NEW 
           YORK, AS THE ``PERCY SUTTON POST OFFICE BUILDING''

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
and legacy of Percy Sutton, a true leader in the Harlem community. He 
has worked as a stunt pilot, train conductor, military intelligence 
officer, civil rights attorney, broadcast company owner, TV producer, 
and borough president. But Sutton is most notably known as a mentor for 
young leaders in my congressional district.
  Percy Sutton was born in San Antonio, TX on November 24, 1920, the 
youngest child of Samuel and Lillian Sutton's 15 children. Sutton 
attended and graduated from Prairie View A&M University, Tuskegee 
Institute, and Hampton Institute. A skilled pilot, Sutton served our 
country during World War II with the Tuskegee Airmen and won combat 
stars as an intelligence officer.
  After receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of captain, 
Sutton enrolled in the Brooklyn College Law School and received his law 
degree in 1950. During the 1950s and 1960s, Sutton became one of 
American's best known lawyers, fighting for civil rights and 
representing many prominent African American figures, including Malcolm 
X.
  Sutton served as borough president of the borough of Manhattan from 
1966 until 1977. During his tenure he supported initiatives to forge 
economic revitalization in Harlem. It was Sutton, while borough 
president, who first presented the idea of tourism in upper Manhattan. 
He continues to encourage the revitalization of the Harlem community by 
supporting organizations which promote local empowerment and economic 
development.
  Sutton is also a leader in the business world. In 1971, he created 
the Inner City Broadcasting Company. The company housed the first 
African American owned radio stations in New York City: WBLS and WLIB. 
Sutton initiated the revitalization of the legendary Apollo Theater in 
Harlem and successfully produced the nationally acclaimed television 
show, It's Showtime at the Apollo. In 1987, he went on to receive the 
Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People, NAACP, for his many achievements as a public servant, 
businessman, and community leader.
  Percy Sutton is a great American and a good friend. He continues to 
be an inspiration for young African Americans. I urge you to support 
H.R. 954 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 365 West 125th Street in New York, NY, as the ``Percy Sutton 
Post Office Building.''

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