In the News
US Congressman John Sarbanes was presented with the annual “Leader” award in Washington, DC on Monday, given each year to an outstanding member of the Greek-American diaspora.
When the new Congress is sworn in next year, it will be without a Sarbanes in its ranks for the first time in 54 years. Rep. John Sarbanes is moving on from politics, ending a congressional career that began in 2007 — the same year his father, the late Paul Sarbanes, retired after serving 36 years in the House and Senate.
Fortunately for John Sarbanes, name recognition has never been an issue. Sarbanes, the son of the late U. S. Senator Paul Sarbanes, has served in Congress since 2007 representing Maryland’s Third Congressional District (MD-3). His father, the first Greek American senator and second longest-serving in the Old Line state’s history, held the same seat from 1971-1977.
During his time in Congress, John Sarbanes was a staunch advocate of building bipartisan support for this relationship. In an interview with the English Edition of “To Vima,” the seasoned politician reflected on his efforts to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
The $886 billion national defense bill heading to President Biden’s desk for his signature contains some notable fine print for Maryland nature buffs.
Thursday, three members of Congress declared victory following passage of a defense policy bill that protects public access to the Navy-owned, 240-acre environmental preserve at Greenbury Point. Its authors say that shuts the door on a new golf course proposed almost two years ago by Naval Academy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk.
Conservation advocates hailed the move and breathed a sigh of relief Thursday, not only for the strengthened language, but because U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat, faced opposition from Republicans when he attempted to get Greenbury Point protection enshrined in the House version of the Defense Authorization Act.
“It’s not just the federal employees, it’s the ripple effect that comes with agencies that have procurements with small businesses and others through the district,” said Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), another retiring lawmaker whose district covers dozens of federal outposts and thousands of government employees and contractors.
A major win for the Chesapeake Bay — it was awarded millions of dollars in federal funding going toward the environment and restoration projects.
The major grant awards are coming through the Chesapeake Watershed Investment in Landscape Defense program.
U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes shocked the political world — and his constituents — when he made a surprise announcement this fall that he won’t run for reelection next year. By the time the 61-year-old Democrat’s term is up, he’ll have completed 18 years in Congress, representing communities largely in the Baltimore suburbs.