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.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Cliff Rutledge on February 18, 2024, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, a pioneering figure in radio broadcasting, he began his career in the 1950s with
a Sunday morning Gospel show on WCLS before joining WOKS in 1964, where he became
the voice of historic high school and college sporting events in the Columbus area; and
WHEREAS, throughout his seven-decade broadcasting career, he called some of the most
memorable games in local history, including Carver High School's 1971 state basketball
championship, Kendrick's 1991 state football championship, Shaw's 2000 state football
championship, and Carver's 2007 state football championship; and
WHEREAS, he further served as the play-by-play announcer for two historic college football
rivalry games played annually in Columbus, the Fountain City Classic and the Tuskegee
Morehouse Classic; and
WHEREAS, beyond his impact in broadcasting, he was a dedicated educator who devoted
40 years of service to Phenix City Schools, serving as principal of Susie E. Allen Elementary
School and as director of the city's Head Start and adult education programs; and
WHEREAS, in honor of his invaluable contributions to his community, he earned the title
of "Community Legend" from the Samarc Foundation in 2012 and was inducted into the
Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2014; and
WHEREAS, his influence extended beyond the airwaves as he brought people together
through his warm, personal broadcasting style, his dedication to his faith, and his lifelong
commitment to uplifting those around him; and
WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation
for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he
made this world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Cliff Rutledge will long be remembered
for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great
fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
join in honoring the life and memory of Cliff Rutledge and express their deepest and most
sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Cliff
Rutledge.