Paul Sarbanes, longtime US senator from Maryland, dies at age 87

Keith Demko, Salisbury Daily Times

SALISBURY, Md. – Former U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes died Sunday in Baltimore. He was 87.

Sarbanes served Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977 and in the Senate from 1977 to 2007.

Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., announced the passing of his father.

“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," Sarbanes stated.

“Following state, local and public health guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, our family will hold a private service in the coming days.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan expressed his condolences as he hailed Sarbanes' accomplishments in public life.

"Paul Sarbanes honorably served alongside my father on the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate before going on to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate. Over his many decades of public service, Sen. 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," Hogan's official statement read.

U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., holds up a news paper while hearing testimony from William Donaldson, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission testifies during Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill September 30, 2003, in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony on the state of the securities industry.
U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., holds up a news paper while hearing testimony from William Donaldson, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission testifies during Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill September 30, 2003, in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony on the state of the securities industry.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., also offered his personal remembrance of Sarbanes:

“Today we mourn 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 – Paul Sarbanes. Both during his time serving in the House of Delegates and as our state’s second-longest serving United States Senator, Paul Sarbanes was a tireless advocate on behalf of all Marylanders.. ...

“Paul Sarbanes left a legacy of compassion, integrity, humility, and hard work that Marylanders will never forget.”

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Paul Sarbanes, longtime US senator from Maryland, dies at age 87

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