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

SALISBURY, Md. – Today, Marylanders are mourning the death of former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes who represented Maryland for 30 years in the Senate. Sarbanes was the son of Greek immigrants and was a native of Salisbury.

He passed away Sunday night at 87 years old.

Sarbanes has been recognized as a leader of financial regulatory reform. He drafted the first article of impeachment against Republican President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal as a congressman.

Former state senator Jim Mathias tells 47ABC Sarbanes played a critical role in a beach replenishment project in Ocean City.

“His leadership of one Maryland,” said Mathias.

“Paul didn’t see Democrats or Republicans or Eastern Shore or the Western Shore,” said Mathias, “He saw all Marylanders and every day from the beginning of his service at the Maryland House of Delegates although he was a predecessor to me by some time that’s what he did and made Maryland a better place.”

Former state senator Jim Mathias says he has fond memories as a ten-year-old when he first met Paul Sarbanes in Baltimore.

(Pictures Courtesy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore)