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Flags to Fly at Half Staff in Honor of Former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes

Courtesy: Rep. John 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.

“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,” 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.”

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.

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