[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E648-E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF MR. JOHN SUTTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute a veteran of the 
U.S. Army from Independence, Missouri, for his heroism and dedication 
to a life long career serving our country. As a young boy in 
Hutchinson, Kansas, brave soldiers inspired Mr. Sutton to join the 
ranks of the millions of women and men serving in our military.
  A man of unwavering grit and tenacity, Mr. Sutton was not discouraged 
when his application to join the Army and Navy Air Corps was denied due 
to his color-blindness. He was studying at the University of Kansas 
when he was drafted into the Army in 1944. After his conscription, Mr. 
Sutton attended West Point and received his Bachelor of Science in 1949 
from the Army Engineering school. This wealth of knowledge eventually 
led Mr. Sutton and his wife Dana to travel internationally to Germany 
with the Army.
  Using his engineering skills and personal fortitude, Mr. Sutton 
served the U.S. Army's Engineering and Transportation units in Germany. 
During his time there, Mr. Sutton worked with an all-black Engineering 
Battalion where he learned the meaning of service and brotherhood. To 
this day, Mr. Sutton cherishes the time he spent with that battalion. 
Years later, Mr. Sutton honored his time spent with the battalion by 
creating a course focusing on Black Men in the U.S. Army.
  Mr. Sutton eventually returned to the U.S. and furthered his 
education by receiving a Master's in Business Administration with an 
emphasis in Transportation Management. Shortly thereafter, he once 
again served his country as a professor of mathematics at the U.S. 
Military Academy at West Point for three years.
  Mr. Sutton took classes until he was once again sent to Korea in the 
1st Calvary Division. Being both an energetic scholar and dedicated 
service member, Mr. Sutton eventually returned to Virginia to work for 
the Pentagon. At the Pentagon, he was an assistant to a three-star 
general, a position which led him to travel all around the world. For 
instance, this occurred when the U.S. Army sent Mr. Sutton to Vietnam, 
where he oversaw a battalion of 3,000 troops and spent countless days 
and nights living under the fear of an attack.
  Upon his return to the States, he became a Colonel and was sent to 
Pennsylvania for 3 more years. After teaching and serving in Germany 
and Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Sutton was ready to return home to care for 
his family and his elderly parents. As a retiree from the Army, Mr. 
Sutton began working at Park University first as the supervisor of 
their Military Extension Program and later as the Assistant Dean of the 
University.
  A man who pursues his passions and goals, Mr. Sutton received his 
private pilot's license and eventually bought his own plane. To this 
day, he flies his plane at Fort Leavenworth. Today, Mr. Sutton's 
extensive military history is honored at Veterans Hall in the Truman 
Memorial Building.
  In addition to his 35 years of active duty service, he has been 
married for 69 years of marriage with two children, his five 
grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Though their travels have 
taken them all over the world, we are fortunate to have Mr. Sutton and 
his wife call Independence, Missouri, their home.
  Madam Speaker, please join me and all of Missouri's Fifth 
Congressional District in congratulating Mr. Sutton for his 35 years of 
active duty service and outstanding accomplishments. It is with great 
respect that I urge all my colleagues and fellow citizens across the

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country to join me in showing our appreciation to Mr. Sutton for his 
unwavering strength and dedication to our country.

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