Washington, D.C. -- NCLIS announces with sadness the death of Commissioner Gary N. Sudduth on July 28, 1997. Chairperson Jeanne Hurley Simon said, “We mourn the loss of a fine person and leader. Gary Sudduth had rare insight and skill. We extend our sympathy to his family and his home community, Minneapolis, which he served so well in so many ways.”
President Clinton appointed Gary Sudduth to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science in November 1993. At the time of his death Commissioner Sudduth was a member of the NCLIS Search Committee for a new executive director. He was also scheduled to represent NCLIS at this week’s third national conference of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
Mr. Sudduth was a member of the Minneapolis Public Library Board of Trustees for over ten years. As the Board President, he led planning for a new $150-million facility.
Gary Sudduth had been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Minneapolis Urban League since 1992. He had held other positions with the Urban League since 1977 when he began as the Juvenile Advocate Program’s director. He produced and hosted the League’s television program, “On the Other Hand.” A February 5, 1996, STAR TRIBUNE article praised his “relentless calm, compromise -- and peace” in resolving volatile community situations.
Gary Sudduth had a long and distinguished record of civic and social service at the city, county and state levels. He served as a member of the AFDC Task Force of Hennepin County, the Policy Board of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the Minneapolis Public Schools Long-Range Planning Committee. He chaired the statewide housing and desegregation organization of the Minnesota Society for Open Communities.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Mr. Sudduth had done advanced work at Hamline University and at the Graduate School of America.
Memorials honoring Gary Neil Sudduth may be sent to the Minneapolis Urban League, 2000 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the federal government and has sixteen members. NCLIS is charged by law (P.L. 91-345) to advise the President and Congress on national and international library and information services policies and plans.