SR331: SR331 Rutledge, Cliff; condolences

25 LC 129 0226 Senate Resolution 331 By: Senators Harbison of the 15th and Robertson of the 29th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Cliff Rutledge; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Cliff Rutledge on February 18, 2024, at the age of 92; and3 WHEREAS, a pioneering figure in radio broadcasting, he began his career in the 1950s with4 a Sunday morning Gospel show on WCLS before joining WOKS in 1964, where he became5 the voice of historic high school and college sporting events in the Columbus area; and6 WHEREAS, throughout his seven-decade broadcasting career, he called some of the most7 memorable games in local history, including Carver High School' s 1971 state basketball8 championship, Kendrick's 1991 state football championship, Shaw 's 2000 state football9 championship, and Carver's 2007 state football championship; and10 WHEREAS, he further served as the play-by-play announcer for two historic college football11 rivalry games played annually in Columbus, the Fountain City Cl assic and the Tuskegee12 Morehouse Classic; and13 S. R. 331 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0226 WHEREAS, beyond his impact in broadcasting, he was a dedicated educator who devoted14 40 years of service to Phenix City Schools, serving as principal of Susie E. Allen Elementary15 School and as director of the city's Head Start and adult education programs; and16 WHEREAS, in honor of his invaluable contributions to his community, he earned the title17 of "Community Legend" from the Samarc Foundation in 2012 and wa s inducted into the18 Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2014; and19 WHEREAS, his influence extended beyond the airwaves as he broug ht people together20 through his warm, personal broadcasting style, his dedication t o his faith, and his lifelong21 commitment to uplifting those around him; and22 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation23 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he24 made this world a better place in which to live; and25 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Cliff Rutledge will long be remembered26 for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great27 fortune of knowing him.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 join in honoring the life and memory of Cliff Rutledge and express their deepest and most30 sincere regret at his passing.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Cliff33 Rutledge.34 S. R. 331 - 2 -