John Sarbanes has won a major victory in the U.S. Elections of November 7. He was elected to the U.S. Congress, capturing 65% of the vote in his Maryland district. On this occasion the Voice of America produced a video profile of the Congressman-elect, appropriately named “The John Sarbanes Story”, which aired as part of an election night special presentation for affiliates in Greece and Cyprus.  The program, presented in Greek, was entitled “Elections 2006:  Greek-Americans Reaching for The Dream”. Following is the English text of “The John Sarbanes Story” segment of the program, including the Anchorman’s introduction and lead out comments.

PROGRAM TEXT

MR. BISTIS INTRO: Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland is retiring at the end of the year after a distinguished service of 3 decades in the U.S. Senate. John Sarbanes, the Senator’s son, aspires to follow on his father’s footsteps and is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, attempting to capture one of the Congressional seats in the State of Maryland.

“THE JOHN SARBANES STORY” VIDEO SEGMENT

MR. BISTIS: John Sarbanes was born in Baltimore, Maryland, a large port city which is a half hour drive from Washington D.C.  Ever since it became the nation’s capital, Washington has been the center of the American political life. It quickly drew the attention of John’s father, Paul, who was destined to become one of the two Maryland's members in the U.S. Senate. He held that position for 30 years.

Senator Paul Sarbanes is the son of a Greek immigrant restaurant entrepreneur and up until his graduation from college he was occasionally working at his dad’s modest business in Salisbury, a town of Maryland near the Atlantic Ocean.

John Sarbanes

John Sarbanes, is a second generation descendent of that humble immigrant from Greece. Like his father, John got a good education. He graduated from two prestigious universities, Princeton and Harvard. As a teenager, whenever he would visit his dad in Washington, John was impressed by the effect the spirit of ancient Greece had on the city’s architecture. He climbed the steps of success fast and today he is managing one of the nation’s largest law firms. As he runs for Congress John has not forgotten, neither he is likely to ever forget, where he comes from.

MR. JOHN SARBANES: It is a very humbling experience to try to follow in the steps of somebody who had such a tremendous impact not only on this country but also for the Greek-American community. You know, growing up in that household you had a deep understanding of how much it meant to be a Greek-American. This was something taught to me by my grandmother and taught to me by my father. So, all of my siblings and I grew up with this connection to Greece and to the issues that affect Greece and affect Cyprus. I am looking forward to the opportunity to be able to help represent this community and the issues that it holds dear as well as be a very good Congressman for my state.

MR. BISTIS: John Sarbanes wants to bring to the U.S. Congress the values that were instilled in him by his family. These values are the first thing that John mentions in his campaign video message.  

MR. JOHN SARBANES: Be honest, treat others with respect and never forget where you come from. Those were the values we were taught growing up and those are the values my wife and I are trying to pass on to our children.

MR. BISTIS: Senator Sarbanes can’t hide his pride for his son, the candidate.

Senator Paul Sarbanes

SENATOR PAUL SARBANES: We are trying to keep a Sarbanes in the Congress. We think that would be a good thing.

MR. BISTIS: The Congressional seat for which John Sarbanes is running tonight is in the 3rd District of Maryland. It is the same seat that his father once held, during the era of the Vietnam War. It was from the 3^rd District of Maryland that Paul Sarbanes started his distinguished career in the U.S. Congress, first as a member of the House of Representatives and then as a member of the Senate. Father and son also have a lot of other things in common. For example they believe that education is the key that makes the American dream possible and that no matter what profession we choose in our lives we should always strive to be the best in it.

MR. JOHN SARBANES: Opportunity begins with our kids and education unlocks their potential and America’s greatness. I know because education has allowed two generations of my family to achieve the American dream.

MR. BISTIS: John Sarbanes continues to be a member of his childhood church, the Annunciation Greek-Orthodox Cathedral in Baltimore, and is a strong supporter of many Hellenic-American Organizations.

END OF VIDEO SEGMENT – RETURN TO VOA STUDIO

MR. BISTIS: John Sarbanes, as expected, won the election and will be coming to Washington to serve in the U.S. Congress, starting in January.  His term in the House will begin on the same day his father’s term in the Senate will end. We spent part of this evening in Baltimore, at the John Sarbanes headquarters, in order that we could now bring you a few highlights from his election victory celebration.

“JOHN SARBANES VICTORY CELEBRATION” VIDEO SEGMENT

(Supporters of John Sarbanes celebrating)

SENATOR PAUL SARBANES: We are enormously proud of what John has accomplished. I want to thank all those who worked in the campaign. You did an absolutely terrific job.

MR. JOHN SARBANES: I gather the numbers are telling us that we have finally crossed the finish line. 

END OF VIDEO SEGMENT

Greek-Americans chosen by the voters
1	Elections 2006: Greek-Americans Reaching for “The Dream”
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3	Senator Olympia Snowe wins re-election in Maine
4	John Sarbanes wins big Congressional race in Maryland
5	Gus Bilirakis wins Congressional seat vacated by his father in Florida
6	Zack Space wins important Congressional race in Ohio