[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 117 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. ERNEST R. SUTTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an 
outstanding citizen, Mr. Ernest R. Sutton. Mr. Sutton, a native of 
Elizabeth City, NC, is retiring after 36 years of loyal, dedicated 
service to the North Carolina Department of Correction. He has served 
this department in many capacities and now completes his career as the 
Superintendent for the Pasquotank Correctional Institution. Mr. Sutton 
is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University in 1977 with a 
bachelor's of science degree in political science.
  I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Sutton for many years as a 
friend, supporter, and community leader in the Albemarle Region of our 
state. I first met Mr. Sutton when he was intricately involved in the 
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization founded by 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Mr. Sutton currently serves as the Chairman of the Leadership 
Development and Governance Committees for the American Hospital 
Association. He is also a member of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank 
County Community Relations Committee.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Sutton is an activist for change. In 1997, he 
introduced the first Hospital/Prison ``Health Fair'' in North Carolina, 
and played a key role in the transition of Albemarle Hospital from 
county owned to a free standing Regional Hospital Authority. In 2000, 
Mr. Sutton led the development of a unique process to search for and 
secure a new hospital president and CEO for Albemarle Hospital, 
Elizabeth City, NC.
  Mr. Sutton served as past Vice-Chair of the International Association 
of the Friends of Africa; past Chairman of the Albemarle Hospital 
Authority Board of Commissioners; past Chairman of the Albemarle 
Hospital Executive Committee; past Chairman of the Personnel and 
Grievance Committee of the Albemarle Hospital Board of Trustees; and 
past Co-Chair of the Community Relations Committee of Elizabeth City, 
NC. He also served as Treasurer of the North Carolina 12th District 
NAACP, past member of the North Carolina Cultural Alliance, and past 
member of the North Carolina Council on Alcoholism.
  Mr. Sutton's work reaches far beyond Elizabeth City. His article 
``Ernest R. Sutton: Growing Potential,'' which emphasizes his passion 
for leadership and human resources development, was featured in the 
September 2002 issue of Trustee Magazine. He was also interviewed on 
diversity in health care in the Bridges Magazine--Institute for 
Diversity in Health Management in the Fall of 2002. As President of 
Faith Consultants, LLC, Mr. Sutton has conducted several health care 
lectures and seminars at local universities and for many religious 
organizations.
  Mr. Sutton has received many awards for his work. In 1984, he was the 
recipient of NAACP Outstanding Humanitarian Award, and went on to 
receive the silver, gold, and platinum Gavel Awards from the Governance 
Institute of Physicians, Trustees and Healthcare Executives in La 
Jolla, CA. In 2002, he received the North Carolina Hospital Association 
Trustee Service Award: Trustee of the Year, and received the Harvard 
School of Conflict Resolution and Healthcare Negotiations: Graduate 
with Distinction Award.
  Over this extensive career, Mr. Sutton has made a tremendous impact 
on his community. Through his commitment and devotion to service, he 
has helped to lay the ground work for continued change in both 
Elizabeth City and beyond. I ask that all of my colleagues join me in 
paying tribute to an exemplary citizen, Mr. Ernest Sutton.

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