LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of civic and business leader
Luther R. Gatling

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals who distinguished themselves through
their life's work; and
WHEREAS, A 30-year resident of Teaneck, New Jersey, Luther Gatling,
known as "The Credit Doctor," died on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at the age
of 79; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling, was the CEO of Budget & Credit Counseling
Services, a Manhattan non-profit that advised consumers with crippling
debt; he founded the organization in 1976 and operated it until his
retirement eight years ago; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling was born in Waterbury, Connecticut; he did
undergraduate work at the University of Puerto Rico and graduated from
Temple University with a degree in Business Administration; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling's views were called upon by such media organ-
izations as NPR, THE NEW YORK TIMES, BLACK ENTERPRISE and KIPLINGER'S
PERSONAL FINANCE magazines along with Fox 5 New York, where he appeared
frequently on "Good Day New York"; he often criticized the banks and
credit card companies for encouraging consumers to carry debt over from
month to month since the creditors would earn a considerable profit on
the interest charges; and
WHEREAS, Known as the first African-American Alderman in his native
town of Waterbury, Connecticut, Luther Gatling started Budget & Credit
Counseling Services after stints as an advocate with the Consumer
Service Society of New York and as a legislative lobbyist on consumer
issues; he initially focused on serving the African-American community,
but expanded his non-profit's scope; "People we see now reach every
ethnic group there is," he wrote in the 1998 book MONEY TALKS -- BLACK
FINANCE EXPERTS TALK TO YOU ABOUT MONEY; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling was former president of the New York chapter
of the mentoring organization 100 Black Men of America; he also served
on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the national
chapter of 100 Black Men; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling previously hosted a weekly radio show on WOR
and was instrumental in assisting 100 Black Men in expanding their
economic empowerment programmatic thrust and with their expansion on the
African continent; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Luther Gatling distinguished himself
in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contrib-
ution to the welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Luther Gatling is survived by his wife, Yvonne "Bonnie"
Gatling, three daughters, Sharon, Lydia and Robbin, one son, Richard;
four grandsons, Aubrey, Kameron, Andreas and Brandes, nine granddaugh-
ters, Sahnye, Shanora, Nedezsha, Shyvonne, Sharde, Shaylene, Alexis,
Tamieka, and Myshellean; ten great-grandchildren, and numerous other
family members; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, Luther Gatling leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of civic and business leader Luther R. Gatling; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Luther R. Gatling.