When Turkey invaded Cyprus, on July 20, 1974, following the Coup of the military Junta in Athens, Hellenism was fortunate enough to have in the U.S. House of Representatives two of their own: John Brademas and Paul Sarbanes. Both Democrats and opponents of the military junta and of the Nixon Administration, who mobilized Congress against the gross violation of the U.S. laws, the International laws and Human Rights and helped, mobilize the Greek American Community with the assistance of people like Archbishop Iakovos, Gene Rossides, Andrew Athens, George Livanos, Andrew Manatos, Philip Christopher.
On Sunday, December 6, 2020, one of these giants, former U.S. Senator Paul S. Sarbanes passed away, at 87. Eleven years earlier he had lost his lovely wife Christine and he was never the same.
His eldest son, Congressman John Sarbanes announcing his father’s passing said:
“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.”
Few months earlier, two more of the protagonists of the days of 1974, comrades-in-arms of Senator Sarbanes, former Congressman John Brademas and American Hellenic Institute Founder Gene Rossides, passed away without seeing Cyprus free of Turkish troops. As they did Nicos Mouyiaris, Andrew Athens, Archbishop Iakovos, George Livanos.
HELLENISM MOURNS ITS HERO
Greek American organizations, along with his former colleagues in Congress and the leaderships in Greece and Cyprus issued messages of condolences for Paul Sarbanes, the first Greek American who became U.S. Senator.
Among theose who issued statements are the AHEPA, the AH, the Archbishop of America Elpidophoros, US Senator Bob Menendez, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou
We bid farewell to Senator Paul Sarbanes, a bright man of US politics who kept Greece close at his heart. He remained a staunch supporter of Greek interests until the end and was always there when our nation needed him. My deepest condolences to @RepSarbanes and his family.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Senator Paul Sarbanes was a towering figure in US politics and a strong advocate of Greek issues, for which Greece will always be grateful. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to @RepSarbanes and his family.
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades
I was informed with deep sorrow the passing of the good friend of Cyprus and Hellenism, the Greek American former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes; who has defended with his positions and interventions the rights of Cyprus. Our sincere condolences to the family of Congressman John Sarbanes.
Read the full statements on greeknewsonline
Did Greece introduce its equivalent of the Sarbanes-Oxley act concerning corporate governance ? Other countries did so including Turkey, apparently.