President Obama salutes the late Inner-City Broadcasting owner Percy Sutton

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________________FOR

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2009

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE PASSING OF PERCY SUTTON

Percy Sutton was a true hero to African Americans in New York City and around the country. We will remember him for his service to the country as a Tuskegee Airman, to New York State as a state assemblyman, to New York City as Manhattan Borough President, and to the community of Harlem in leading the effort to revitalize the world renowned Apollo Theater. His life-long dedication to the fight for civil rights and his career as an entrepreneur and public servant made the rise of countless young African Americans possible. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to his family on this sad day.