1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 624 1-3 WHEREAS, Walter L. Sutton, Jr., was recently selected 1-4 recipient of the 1997 Gertrude Rush Award, and the Texas Senate 1-5 is pleased to recognize him; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born in Marshall, Texas, to two educators, Dr. Sutton 1-7 is the son of Sammie W. Sutton and Walter L. Sutton, Sr.; and 1-8 WHEREAS, After receiving his bachelor's degree in business 1-9 administration from the University of Denver, Dr. Sutton graduated 1-10 from the University of Michigan Law School in 1970, one of 15 1-11 African Americans in a graduating class of 300; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Returning to Texas in 1972, he accepted a position 1-13 with Texas Instruments as an attorney; he was the first African 1-14 American attorney with the company; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Throughout his 15-year career at Texas Instruments, 1-16 Dr. Sutton became an expert in environmental law and commercial 1-17 real estate; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Again recognizing the importance of education, he 1-19 received his master's degree in business administration from the 1-20 University of Dallas Graduate School of Management in 1976, and his 1-21 doctoral degree in management science from The University of Texas 1-22 at Dallas in 1989; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Having taught at colleges and universities in the 2-1 Dallas area for over 20 years, Dr. Sutton became the first African 2-2 American to join the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist 2-3 University in 1989 and continues to serve as faculty advisor; and 2-4 WHEREAS, A man seeking to give something back to his 2-5 community, he has been a member of many boards, including the 2-6 Museum of African American Life and Culture, the J. L. Turner 2-7 Legal Society, the North Texas Legal Aid Society, and the Dallas 2-8 Legal Services Foundation; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Active in professional associations, Dr. Sutton 2-10 has served the National Bar Association in various capacities; 2-11 he has been Section Representative, Treasurer, Vice President, 2-12 President, and a member of the Board of Governors; Dr. Sutton is 2-13 a member of the Dallas and American bar associations and served 2-14 as a member of the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas 2-15 from 1993 through 1996; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Becoming the first African American to serve as 2-17 Deputy Regional Counsel in the Dallas office of the United States 2-18 Environmental Protection Agency in 1993, he presently serves as 2-19 Acting Regional Counsel; and 2-20 WHEREAS, A proven leader who has selflessly devoted his 2-21 energies and talents to a wide range of worthwhile causes, 2-22 Dr. Sutton is certainly worthy of legislative recognition; now, 2-23 therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-25 75th Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to 3-1 Dr. Walter L. Sutton, Jr., for his designation as 1997 Recipient 3-2 of the Gertrude Rush Award; and, be it further 3-3 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-4 Dr. Sutton as an expression of the highest regard and esteem of 3-5 the Texas Senate. 3-6 West 3-7 ______________________________________ 3-8 President of the Senate 3-9 I hereby certify that the above 3-10 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-11 on May 1, 1997. 3-12 ______________________________________ 3-13 Secretary of the Senate 3-14 ______________________________________ 3-15 Member, Texas Senate