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WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives today passed legislation naming the post office on 125th Street after Percy Sutton, the distinguished community leader and entrepreneur who has been a long-time resident of the Harlem community where the Post Office is located.
The legislation, which will designate the facility located at 365 W. 125th Street as the Percy Sutton Post Office Building, was introduced and spearheaded by Congressman Charles Rangel. Passed by a voice vote in the House, the bill now awaits passage in the U.S. Senate.
Congressman Rangel said he felt "privileged to pay tribute to someone from the village of Harlem" by naming the post office after Mr. Sutton. He "fully deserves the salute from the community" that the designation represents, Congressman Rangel said.
In his remarks during debate on the bill, Congressman Rangel praised Mr. Sutton's pivotal contribution to Harlem's revitalization through his successful efforts to save the Apollo Theatre. By purchasing the theatre and creating a long-running television program broadcast from its historic stage, Mr. Sutton "brought the theatre back from the ashes," Congressman Rangel said.
The Congressman also described Mr. Sutton's contributions during WWII when he served as a member of the highly decorated Tuskegee Airmen. In doing so he was part of a group of African Americans who defied the racial stereotypes in the day that held African Americans as lacking in sufficient bravery and intelligence to function as members of the Army Air Corps.
The nation made up for those insults earlier this year when the Tuskegee Airmen, under legislation introduced by Congressman Rangel, were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian award.
Congressman Rangel described Mr. Sutton in remarks entered in the Congressional Record last February when he introduced the Post Office legislation.
I rise to pay tribute to the life of Percy Sutton, a true leader in the Harlem community. He has been a stunt pilot, train conductor, military intelligence officer, civil rights attorney, broadcast company owner, TV producer, State Assemblyman, Borough President, mentor to young leaders, and loving husband and father.
Percy Sutton was born in San Antonio, Texas, on November 24, 1920, the youngest of Samuel and Lillian Sutton's 15 children. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University, Tuskegee Institute, and Hampton Institute.
He was a skilled pilot, and in World War II served his country as an intelligence officer with the Tuskegee Airmen. After discharge from the military with the rank of Captain, he enrolled in earned his law degree from Brooklyn College. He became one of America's best known lawyers, fighting for civil rights and representing many African American activists including Malcolm X.
Mr. Sutton served in the New York State Assembly from 1964 to 1966, after which he served as president of the Borough or Manhattan until 1977. During his tenure he worked hard for the economic development of Harlem, and began the promoted the attraction of tourists to visit the area.
Mr. Sutton is a leader in the business world. In 1971, he created the Inner City Broadcasting Company, which housed the first African American owned radio stations in New York City, WBLS and WLIB. He initiated the revitalization of the Apollo Theatre and produced from its stage the nationally acclaimed talent program, Showtime at the Apollo.
In 1987, he was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his many achievements and contributions to civil rights, public service and business.
Percy Sutton is a great American and a dear friend. He continues to be an inspiration to young Americans. I urge my colleagues to support HR 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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