LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
Clifton Rolet Sutton

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Clifton Rolet Sutton; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Rolet "Chuck" Sutton, a journalist, environmental
activist, community organizer and co-executive producer of "It's Show-
time at the Apollo," died on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at the age of
58; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sutton was preceded in death by his father, the Rever-
end Alexander Carver Sutton, Sr., a well-known community activist who
was the godson of noted scientist, Dr. George Washington Carver; his
mother, Lura Nolan Sutton; and his former wife, Janet Hedmann Sutton;
and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sutton was a nephew of both Tuskegee airman and civil
rights lawyer Percy E. Sutton, and the late Honorable Oliver Sutton, New
York Supreme Court Judge; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sutton assumed the mantle of leadership early in life,
participating in grassroots political campaigns, voting rights marches
and protests against segregation in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas;
a tireless community organizer, he was a leader and champion for the
disenfranchised, and received nascent life lessons in compassionate
advocacy while attending summer camp through his father's Christian
Welfare Camping Association and by working at Ella Austin Children's
Home; and
WHEREAS, While attending the University of Texas at El Paso, Chuck
Sutton was invited to China and subsequently led a contingent of 23
students from universities across the United States on a goodwill tour
before the United States sanctioned such trips; he would later attend
law school at the University of Colorado, where he served as judicial
law clerk; and
WHEREAS, After relocating to New York, in 1988, Chuck Sutton, along
with Peggy Shepard and Vernice Miller-Travis, started a group called
West Harlem Environmental Action to protest design flaws at the North
River Sewage Treatment Plant, which led to foul smells throughout
Harlem; they also protested plans for a sixth city bus depot in northern
Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sutton worked alongside his famous uncle, "The Chair-
man", to shape programming at Inner City Broadcasting Corporation's WBLS
and WLIB radio, later nurturing and shaping talent; while he was co-Exe-
cutive Producer and writer for "It's Showtime at the Apollo," he
fostered the careers of Kim Coles, Mark Curry, Steve Harvey, Doug E.
Doug, Rudy Rush and Dave Chappelle; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sutton contributed to the launching of UPTIGHT maga-
zine; he was a prolific writer and journalist and was a member of the
Writers Guild of America; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sutton's life and works will endure as an inspiration
and legacy to all who had the privilege and honor of knowing him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Clifton Rolet Sutton; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Clifton Rolet Sutton.