Milton Fitch has moved
successfully from the playing field, having taught and coached football at North
Carolina Central University and Delaware State College, to the political field.
He continues to use his coaching skills, intellect, and discipline in his role
as House Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives in the state
of North Carolina, where he has served for seven terms. He is also the senior
partner at Fitch and Scott Law Firm in Wilson, North Carolina.
Representative Fitch, the
son of the late Milton and Cora Whitted Fitch, was born in Wilson. After graduating
from Charles H. Harden High School in Wilson, he continued his education at
North Carolina Central University in Durham, where he received his bachelor
of science degree in 1969. Three years later, he received a Juris Doctorate
from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
"My parents always
told me '...never be too high to help someone less fortunate...'"
He made history as the
first black in the state of North Carolina to preside over the House of Representatives
and the fist black to be elected House Majority Leader.
In 1979, he successfully
sued the City of Wilson for equalization of municipal services, so that all
communities in Wilson would have comparable services. Also, he participated
in lawsuits which gave African-Americans the opportunity to elect candidates
of their choice in other Eastern North Carolina communities.
The father of two states,
"My parents always told me as a child, 'Be the best of whatever you are and
never be too high to help someone less fortunate than you.'" The youth of North
Carolina, beneficiaries of Representative Fitch's generosity, know that those
words ring true. He personally contributed money to a youth enrichment program
and collaborated with the Hardees Corporation. This effort resulted in more
than 500 children being fed daily. Also, he was instrumental in involving Wilson
County youth in the Upward Bound Program held during the summer at Clark College
in Atlanta, Georgia.
Representative Fitch's accomplishments
are only surpassed by his dedication. The North Carolina AFL-CIO presented him
with "A Friend of the Working People." This strong man also has received awards
from the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers and North Carolina Central
University.
