Flags to Fly at Half Staff in Honor of Former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes
Paul Sarbanes, who represented Marylanders in the U.S. Senate for more than 30 years, died Sunday. He was 87.
The news was confirmed in a statement by Sarbanes’ son, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md. 3). The congressman said in the statement:
“My father, Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, passed away peacefully this evening in Baltimore.
Our family is grateful to know that we have the support of Marylanders who meant so much to him and whom he was honored to serve.
Following state, local and public health guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, our family will hold a private service in the coming days.”
John Sarbanes is known for co-authoring the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, which aimed to increase financial transparency for corporations.
Gov. Larry Hogan, whose late father was the only Republican in Congress to vote for all three articles of impeachment against Nixon in 1974, tweeted a statement, noting his father served alongside Sarbanes on the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate before Sarbanes was elected to the U.S. Senate.
Senator Paul Sarbanes was a sincere and passionate advocate for our state and its natural resources. Today, we mourn his loss and send our deepest sympathies to his family.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/HJtOKgG0rt
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) December 7, 2020
“Over his many decades of public service Sen. Sarbanes was a sincere and passionate advocate for our state and its natural resources,” Hogan said in a statement. “In memory of Sen. Sarbanes, I have ordered that the Maryland flag fly at half-staff on the day of his burial.”
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also issued a statement of condolence for Sarbanes.
Senator Paul Sarbanes’s 40 years of tireless service, as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, strengthened our nation and made a difference in the lives of countless Americans.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 7, 2020
“Senator Paul Sarbanes’s 40 years of tireless service, as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, strengthened our nation and made a difference in the lives of countless Americans,” Pelosi said.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland (D) issued a statement, morning “the loss of the son of Greek immigrants who rose from humble roots on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to make an important and lasting impact on our entire country and help millions of his fellow Americans.” Van Hollen called Sarbanes a “role model.”
From humble roots to the U.S. Senate, Paul Sarbanes made a big, positive difference in the lives of all—from protecting the Chesapeake Bay to affordable housing to consumer protection. He was a role model for me and many others. Condolences to his entire family. pic.twitter.com/iOmKYVtgQ5
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) December 7, 2020
Local, State Elected Leaders Pay Tribute to Sarbanes
Several other federal, state and local elected leaders took to Twitter to pay their respects to the late senator.
My condolences to the entire family of @RepSarbanes on the loss of former Sen. Paul Sarbanes, who passed away yesterday – a great leader and friend of @MontgomeryCoMD who fought for the Chesapeake Bay, securing FDA campus support, Glen Echo's renovation, and more. He is missed. pic.twitter.com/Q66yCVcNQu
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) December 7, 2020
Maryland mourns the loss of an incredible public servant and champion of the #ChesapeakeBay w/the death of Sen. Paul Sarbanes. He set new, needed standards for transparency and good governance. @RepSarbanes our thoughts are with your entire family. https://t.co/k3O7MfK24b
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) December 7, 2020
Putting service over showmanship, he was a leader of the first order, from cleaning the Chesapeake Bay, to the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate, to corporate regulatory reform to innumerable acts of kindness to his colleagues and constituents.
— Rep. David Trone (@RepDavidTrone) December 7, 2020
Saddened by the loss of our great former Senator Paul Sarbanes, a leader of surpassing decency and integrity. Hie memory will be a blessing not only to his family but our state and nation. https://t.co/Kc5Lfcw6a3
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) December 7, 2020
My condolences to the entire family of @RepSarbanes on the loss of former Sen. Paul Sarbanes, who passed away yesterday – a great leader and friend of @MontgomeryCoMD who fought for the Chesapeake Bay, securing FDA campus support, Glen Echo's renovation, and more. He is missed. pic.twitter.com/Q66yCVcNQu
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) December 7, 2020
What an incredible loss. Senator Sarbanes was a kind and decent public servant who fought with all his heart to help residents across Maryland. My condolences to @JohnSarbanes and his family. https://t.co/vbnLipysvp
— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) December 7, 2020
.@ricepolitics My deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and love ones of The Honorable Senator Paul Sarbanes longtime who championed the protection of @chesbayprogram and for his numerous other accomplishments in the @USSenate ….@Paulsarbaneshttps://t.co/COd8lGqB4M… pic.twitter.com/bwIg9d3ybw
— Craig Rice (@RicePolitics) December 7, 2020
Senator Paul Sarbanes was a towering figure in Maryland politics. He was the ultimate statesman and embodied the true essence of public service. What a tremendous loss for our state and our country. My deepest condolences to @RepSarbanes and their family.https://t.co/3WOpeQYBM3
— Councilmember Andrew Friedson (@Andrew_Friedson) December 7, 2020
What a loss. Paul Sarbanes was a tremendous public servant and a great Marylander. My thoughts are with @RepSarbanes and the entire Sarbanes family. https://t.co/NRsuhDdCke
— Eric Luedtke (@EricLuedtke) December 7, 2020
RIP Senator Paul Sarbanes. This is a pic from his first appearance (I think) in the Maryland Manual from 1967. h/t @MdArchives pic.twitter.com/n73p1hTIjM
— Marc Korman (@mkorman) December 7, 2020
MD lost a great public servant last night with the passing of Sen. Paul Sarbanes. Jenny and I join countless others in extending our deepest sympathy to @JohnSarbanes and the entire Sarbanes Family. https://t.co/B3i60Gs29o
— Craig Zucker (@SenatorZucker) December 7, 2020
Sen. Paul Sarbanes & Gov. Harry Hughes were two of Maryland's leaders I most admired as I was beginning my political career. Now, they are both gone, but their legacies live on and enhance our state. pic.twitter.com/hbyNQuclhN
— Cheryl C. Kagan (@CherylKagan) December 7, 2020
Engage us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Tweets by @mymcmedia