S126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 25, 2021 REMEMBERING PAUL SARBANES ballroom, the bouzouki band would come Several of the multiple House votes to pass out, and everyone would dance for several the embargo and then override a presidential Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, all of more hours. Having attended these events veto succeeded by only a one-vote margin, us in this body mourn the recent pass- regularly in DC from the 1990s until COVID– recalls Andy Manatos, then an aide to Sen- ing of former Senator Paul Sarbanes. 19, I can attest that after the Senator intro- ator Tom Eagleton, who was successfully Those of us who served with him have duced his rule about a decade ago, the pro- championing similar embargo legislation in known him as one of the finest and ceedings tightened considerably, with the the Senate. ‘‘It would never have passed in most accomplished Senators with dancing commencing at a more civilized 10 the House without the esteem Paul and John whom we have served. And what a PM. enjoyed,’’ says Manatos, now the dean of It was at one of these dinners that I got to Greek-American lobbyists, adding that Sar- great pleasure it was to work with him, know Sarbanes personally when my late wife banes and Brademus were two of the three on so many issues. Kukula found herself seated next to him. She Rhodes Scholars then serving in that body. In addition to his impressive legisla- asked him what kind of cocktail he liked and The Turkish arms embargo—the first time tive accomplishments, Paul Sarbanes went to the bar to fetch it. The two of them in modern U.S. history that Congress suc- was one of the Senate’s keenest inter- spent the rest of the evening animatedly cessfully overturned the White House on a rogators and one of the Senate’s finest chatting about foreign affairs—Kuku, a jour- major foreign policy issue—lasted three and orators. In the Senate community, nalist and the daughter of a diplomat, had a half years before the Carter administration most of all we knew him for his wit, for strong and informed views on the subject. managed to get it repealed. But it was re- Our hosts Manny and Marilyn Rouvelas must placed by an agreement in Washington to his warmth and kindness, and for his have noticed, because the next year the place sell arms to Greece and Turkey on a 7-to-10 decency. cards showed that Kuku was again seated basis in order to achieve a military balance I would like to call to the Senate’s next to the Senator. When she saw Sarbanes in the Aegean, an agreement Sarbanes vigor- attention an insightful remembrance of walk into the ballroom, she went to the bar ously defended for years after. Senator Sarbanes by Paul Glastris that and, remembering his drink of choice (it was Being seen as a fierce advocate for your was published this month by the Wash- one of her superpowers), had it waiting for own minority ethnic constituency can be ington Monthly. him when he arrived at the table. He was risky for any politician seeking higher of- fice. Sarbanes managed to pull it off in 1976 I ask unanimous consent that the ar- charmed and delighted; she felt the same about him. For years thereafter the two of when he became the first Greek American ticle be printed in the RECORD. them were annual dinner mates. There were elected to the U.S. Senate (he would be fol- There being no objection, the mate- far more powerful people in the room than lowed by Paul Tsongas and Olympia Snowe). rial was ordered to be printed in the Kuku, but the fact that Sarbanes was con- He was hardly a radical on the issue. ‘‘I met RECORD, as follows: tent to spend the evening talking with her today with a number of Cypriot foreign min- [From the Washington Monthly, Jan. 1, 2021] told me everything I needed to know about isters’’ he would joke to friends after rebuff- ing, say, a group of Greek diner owners de- REMEMBERING PAUL SARBANES his character. ‘‘Unlike many of his contemporary office- manding he take stronger actions than the HOW WIT, INTEGRITY AND EXPERTISE MADE holders, Mr. Sarbanes was uncomfortable Cypriot government itself wanted. But over AMERICA’S FIRST GREEK AMERICAN SENATOR with the backslapping, glad-handing and the subsequent decades, through constant A BEHIND-THE-SCENES WASHINGTON POWER grandstanding that often go with public of- study and engagement with experts on the PLAYER. fice,’’ his Washington Post obituary reads. region, he built a reputation as the man to (By Paul Glastris) ‘‘He avoided the social and party circuit in see on anything regarding the Eastern Medi- There have been many fine tributes to the nation’s capital and rarely spent a night terranean—from Turkish air threats to former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes of Mary- in Washington, preferring instead to drive Greek territory in the Aegean to the be- land, who passed away December 6 at age 87. home to his wife and children in Baltimore.’’ sieged Greek Orthodox patriarchate in These encomiums invariably note the near At these Greek dinners, however, Sarbanes Istanbul. Greek prime ministers sought his universal high regard he enjoyed in Wash- was in his element. While other politicians counsel. So too did U.S. presidents, secre- ington for his intelligence, integrity, humor, would drop by (it was a target-rich donor en- taries of state, and senior diplomats. ‘‘In and accomplishments—the latter consisting vironment), he would stay for hours, chat- that cerebral way of his, he would analyze mostly of liberal legislation he managed, via ting with the scores of people who would the whole situation and explain to people his other attributes, to get Republicans to come to the table to meet him, then eventu- what to do, who to talk to, what to be care- support. They include, while a young House ally excusing himself to work the room, ful of,’’ recalls Manatos. ‘‘He was hands down member, the articles of impeachment table by table, shaking every hand. far ahead of anyone else in Congress in his against Richard Nixon and, in the Senate, The way he brought order to those dinners thinking about these issues.’’ the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which tough- with his Sarbanes rule is a small illustration People underestimate, especially in the ened regulations and created government of what made the Senator effective and re- age of Trump, the degree to which knowledge oversight of corporate accounting practices spected in Washington. Born to Greek immi- can be power in Washington. Sarbanes did after the Enron debacle. He also served on grant restaurant owners in 1933, Sarbanes not. He ‘‘studied issues himself rather than the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee for earned scholarships and degrees from Prince- rely on staff talking points,’’ recalls John decades with Joe Biden and was a boss and ton, Oxford, and Harvard. He had an intellec- Sitilides, who worked with the Senator as a mentor to a number of the president-elect’s tual gift for getting to the heart of knotty GOP staffer on the Senate Banking Com- senior advisors, including Antony Blinken, problems and formulating wise solutions mittee before starting the Western Policy his nominee for secretary of state. with a wit that put his colleagues at ease. He Center, a security think tank focused on the But I want to focus on another set of his deployed this genius throughout his career, Eastern Mediterranean. His mastery of sub- deeds, ones associated with his role as the often in the service of selling unpopular but stance gave Sarbanes ‘‘the freedom to argue leading Greek American in Congress. They vitally necessary policies like the return of and discern based on his own knowledge,’’ begin with what has come to be known as the the Panama Canal. As former Democratic says Sitilides, which in turn earned him the ‘‘Sarbanes Rule.’’ Senate leader Thomas Daschle told the New confidence of Senators on both sides of the The rule dictates that ‘‘any Greek Amer- York Times, when ‘‘trying to persuade the aisle. That kind of power is typically wit- ican awards dinner should conclude on the caucus to do something difficult, I would use nessed only by insiders, though public same day it begins.’’ The Senator devised Paul to bring it home, to close the argu- glimpses of it can sometimes be caught. Nick this dictate after patiently sitting through ment.’’ Larigakis, executive director of the Amer- countless such dinners. They would go on in- In the Greek American community he is ican Hellenic Institute, notes that Sarbanes terminably due to the fact that the orga- most remembered for spearheading—along could be ‘‘relied upon to ask the tough and nizers, wanting to acknowledge as many ben- with another young Greek-American con- probing questions’’ on issues important to efactors as possible, would bring to the po- gressman, John Brademus—a 1974 House ef- Greek Americans at confirmation hearings dium a speaker (usually a wealthy Greek- fort to cut off U.S. arms sales to Turkey for US ambassadors to the region—an effec- American businessman) whose job it was to after that country invaded and occupied the tive way to keep Foggy Bottom on its toes. introduce another such speaker, who would independent majority-Greek-speaking nation If Sarbanes’ mind was legendary, so too then introduce another speaker, who would of Cyprus. The Nixon and Ford administra- was his rectitude. He managed a 40-year ca- finally present the award to the person who tions fiercely opposed the legislation because reer in politics—from his first election to the would then speak, typically at some length Turkey, a NATO ally, shared a militarized Maryland House of Delegates in 1967 to his (these are Greeks we’re talking about). border with the Soviet Union. But Sarbanes, retirement from the U.S. Senate in 2007— Since multiple honors were bestowed on Brademus, and others in the newly-activated without a hint of personal scandal. That’s no any given evening, the result was awards Greek American community countered on small feat for someone who rose through the ceremonies that began with cocktails at 6 not only moral but legal grounds: U.S. stat- often-corrupting culture of Maryland poli- PM but wouldn’t end until well after mid- ute, they correctly noted, specifically re- tics (Spiro Agnew, another Greek American night. At which point the priest would give quired the administration to cut off arms politician from Maryland, was not so care- the benediction, the color guard would sales to any country that used such weapons ful). Sarbanes enjoyed a 48-year marriage to march the U.S. and Greek flags out of the offensively. his wife Christine, who passed away in 2009.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:57 Jan 26, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JA6.008 S25JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 25, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S127 And he was famously averse to raising There being no objection, the mate- in a country are targeted by a perpetrator money, even for his own campaigns. (His son rial was ordered to be printed in the with the same citizenship’’ as the victims. John Sarbanes, who represents his father’s RECORD, as follows: It is worth noting that in the middle of the old congressional district, has carried on [From the VTDigger, Jan. 8, 2021] January 6 invasion, the FBI became in- that tradition by sponsoring the House’s volved, presumably on the basis of a logical DOMESTIC TERRORISM IN THE CAPITOL leading campaign finance reform legisla- conclusion that they were looking at an act tion.) Indeed, much of the Senator’s career (By Haviland Smith) of domestic terrorism. The FBI’s definition success was due to his savvy longtime chief It is a fact that the best, noblest political of domestic terrorism is ‘‘violent, criminal of staff Peter Marudas, another Greek Amer- movements often attract the worst kind of acts committed by individuals and/or groups ican who could not only go toe to toe with violent participants. These people barge in to further ideological goals stemming from Sarbanes on the issues but ably manage the and commit the kinds of violent acts that ul- domestic influences, such as those of a polit- more transactional demands of his office. timately change the focus of a previously be- ical, religious, social, racial or environ- Joe Biden has spoken optimistically—na- ively in the opinion of many—about his abil- nign movement to violent terrorist activi- mental nature.’’ ity as president to work productively with ties. These are viewed quite differently and It is clear that the invasion of the Capitol Mitch McConnell and other Republicans on are generally punished more severely than building involved criminal activity. It is substantive issues. To the degree he honestly normal criminal activities. equally clear that if the criminals are to be believes that, it is because he has done so in That is what we are seeing today in the identified and tried for their crimes, as has his own career, and watched others, like United States. Whether you agree with their been clearly stated by all the government Paul Sarbanes, do so as well. goals or not, the vast majority of Trump elements involved, it will be the FBI that After the Senator died, Biden tweeted: supporters are non-violent Americans who will lead the way. They are, after all, the ‘‘Paul Sarbanes and I served together on the seek basic changes in American life. They premier law enforcement organization in the Foreign Relations Committee for 30 years. plan to reach their goals by supporting United States. As such, they are most likely There was no one sharper, more committed, Trump. Right now, that means dem- to be the only organization capable of resolv- or with firmer principles. And he, too, re- onstrating peacefully on his behalf and ing the many complicated issues involved in turned to his family nearly every night. agreeing with and backing his claims of this crime, most emphatically including the They meant the world to him. Rest In Peace, fraud in the 2020 presidential election which issue of domestic terrorism, its initiators, Paul.’’ he lost to Joe Biden. motivators and perpetrators. The other part of this picture is the violent f one. There is unquestionably a smaller group ‘‘DOMESTIC TERRORISM IN THE or groups who, for whatever reasons, see f CAPITOL’’ these peaceful demonstrations as an oppor- tunity to raise havoc, to partake in the only THE POWER OF HUMAN CHOICES Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, what form of protest that turns them on—vio- our Nation witnessed and what Mem- lence. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, amid the bers of Congress and the dedicated staff What none of these folks seem to realize is chaos of the last 4 years, it is almost that work in the Capitol witnessed on that in the commission of felonies (entering difficult to parse out the particular January 6 was a deadly attack on one the U.S. Capitol forcefully, etc.) in the pur- challenge that was 2020. Faced with of our most sacred and historic con- suit of political goals (the illegal participa- deadly pandemic wrought by COVID–19 stitutional duties: the count and final tion in maintaining Trump in power) they qualify nicely for classification as terrorists. and the ensuing economic crisis, mil- certification of the results of our Presi- lions of Americans lost their jobs and dential election. The violent insurrec- At one point during the invasion of the Capitol, it was announced by the TV com- found themselves in a newfound state tion that occurred in the Capitol, mentators that the invaders were beginning of uncertainty and instability. Hun- which took the lives of five people, in- to leave the area. Careful examination of the dreds of thousands of Americans have cluding an officer of the U.S. Capitol TV footage at the time shows that the people died from the pandemic, and millions Police, was an attack on our democ- leaving the area were old, often female—a have been infected. Meanwhile, fami- racy. The votes cast in the 2020 Presi- less fit, less bellicose group. In fact, they lies across the country have lost their dential election were counted and re- were the Capitol invaders who had no inten- tion of getting involved in what clearly was homes and businesses due to worsening counted. The results were challenged in hurricanes, floods, and wildfires the courts and ultimately were cer- becoming a potentially violent situation. brought on by intensifying climate tified in every single State. Yet, citing They simply were not up to it politically, mentally or physically. change. And there are socioeconomic the baseless chant that the election On the other hand, who stayed behind? challenges, too, that linger and grow was ‘‘stolen,’’ an angry and violent Those who were actively interested in be- due to inequality, political division, mob stormed the Capitol in an effort to coming involved in violence. Did you notice and racial injustice, all things that suspend the democratic process, over- how many of them wore helmets? The only have defined the last year. turn the will of the American people, reason you wear a helmet is to protect your- and ensure that now-former President self from violent attacks on your head and George Will poignantly wrote on Jan- Trump remained in office. These insur- that is clearly what they were doing. They uary 1 in the Washington Post about rectionists vandalized the very heart of anticipated participating in violence. In ad- the challenges we faced throughout the our government and threatened and dition, the stay-behinds were a major cut in past year and will continue to face age below those who were leaving. They were moving forward. In his piece, Mr. Will harmed those sworn to protect it. the sort who could climb vertical walls, In a column in the VTDigger, break through windows and throw projectiles highlights a greater overarching chal- Haviland Smith, a Vermonter and the at the protecting police force. The fact that lenge as well: that we, as humans, do first chief of counterterrorism oper- 5 people died, over 80 were arrested, and 50 not have all encompassing control over ations for the Central Intelligence police officers were injured bears eloquent our circumstances. There are greater Agency, makes the strong case that testimony to the fact that this was a ter- forces in play; yet our choices and deci- the insurrection on January 6 was an rorist invasion encouraged by the sitting sions can dictate to some degree the act of domestic terrorism. I am certain President of the United States, his family impact of those forces. that the FBI and the Department of members and Republican colleagues. Ever since the results of the November As we begin our work in the 117th Justice will continue to investigate election became known, the President has Congress, I hope we can come together and, where appropriate, to file charges created and maintained the fiction that to better equip our families, commu- and hold these people to account. But widespread fraud was involved in the Biden nities, and society to respond to our in this Chamber, we must heed Mr. win. Whether Trump knows that his major current challenges and prepare our Smith’s wisdom. As legislative body, as premise is all lies (which would make him a country to effectively combat similar public servants, we must reckon with calculating criminal) or doesn’t know that challenges in the future. the lies and anti-democratic discourse his positions are all lies (making him de- that fueled this attack and work to en- ranged) is almost irrelevant. In either case, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. sure that such an act of domestic ter- calculating or deranged, he is a strangely Will’s column, ‘‘2020 was a booster shot questionable choice for leader of this coun- ror never occurs again. against human hubris,’’ be printed in try. the RECORD. I ask unanimous consent that the Terrorism is the use of fear (terror) and piece written by Haviland Smith, titled acts of violence to intimidate societies, gov- There being no objection, the mate- ‘‘Domestic Terrorism in the Capitol,’’ ernments or ideologies. Domestic terrorism rial was ordered to be printed in the be printed in the RECORD. is a form of terrorism in which victims with- RECORD, as follows:

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