A great loss and an irreplaceable void in the great fight for Hellenism has been dealt to us with the passing of the former Maryland Senator, Paul Sarbanes, said Ioannis Chryssoulakis, the Secretary-General for Public Diplomacy and the Greeks Abroad.

His brave stance and timeless political position on Greece, as he defended with insistence on all issues regarding Hellenism for 30 years in the Senate. He was one of the most powerful personalities of the Greek diaspora in the United States and continuously gave great and key political battles for the promotion of the National issues of Greece and Cyprus, as well as on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Theological School of Chalki.

Greece feels great gratitude for the contribution of this great political man, Paul Sarbanes, who honored through his work, Greece and Hellenism.

Mr. Chryssoulakis, in his condolence letter to Senator Sarbanes’ son, John Sarbanes, who is carrying the torch in a political career, said the following:

“Dear Congressman

Please accept my most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father, a real statesman, a man whose presence in the political life of the US politics has marked almost four decades.

Senator Paul Sarbanes has been a true leader, fighting for justice as his record and achievements prove. Today it is not only his family and the Marylanders who grieve, but also the Greek American Community and all Greeks around the world for the loss of this great man.

His legacy will continue to live through you and his accomplishments.”