Statement from ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ President Charles Wight on the Passing of U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes
Statement from ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ President Charles Wight on the Passing of U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes
“Senator Paul Sarbanes had a long history with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, dating back to his teen years. Accepting an honorary Doctor of Laws during ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s 2006 Fall Commencement ceremony, shortly before his retirement after 30 years as a U.S. senator, he reminisced about playing basketball in the University’s gymnasium while growing up in the local community.
“During his time in office, the Senator was a friend to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, helping to secure funding to expand educational opportunities in the then-Department (now School) of Nursing and to establish the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business’ international business curriculum. In 2002, he initiated the Paul S. Sarbanes Lecture Series through ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s Institute of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE), bringing some of the nation’s most prominent legislators to campus. In addition to Senator Sarbanes, high-profile guests included civil rights icon Representative John Lewis and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
“As a national leader on civil rights, an original composer of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an ally of environmental conservation (including legislation to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay), and a staunch supporter of consumer protection and corporate reform, exemplified by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Senator Sarbanes exemplifies many of the values in which we believe at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. He was a role model to our students and many others in the greater community.
“We offer our condolences to members of the entire Sarbanes family, who have had many ties to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ over the years.”