Boyte writes of Sabo’s reputation as a respectful, bipartisan advocate for democracy. He states that Sabo exemplified the values of Augsburg College “in extraordinary ways, believing in the positive role of government and also the need for a much bigger environment of civic interaction.” He further notes that “Martin was enthusiastic about our work to… create public discussions on the purpose and future of colleges and universities that can reframe what is now often a polarized and narrow debate.”

Read on the Huffington Post site.

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(MINNEAPOLIS) — U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ‘59, who passed away at age 78 on March 13, 2016, was a lifelong public servant who exemplified the progressive approach and personal integrity that were modeled in his Lutheran upbringing and education.

His commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy at Augsburg College through his work to create and guide the , the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual Sabo Symposium. 

One year after graduating cum laude from Augsburg College, at age 22, Sabo was elected to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During Sabo’s tenure in the Minnesota Legislature, he became the first member of the Democrat-Farmer-Labor party to serve as Speaker of the House, a post he held from 1973-78. He went on to serve for 28 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, retiring in 2007.

At the same time that Sabo served in Congress, he volunteered 12 years to Augsburg College as a member of the Board of Regents. He was named an Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus and received the first honorary degree ever conferred by the College.

Sabo and his wife, Sylvia, guided Augsburg in the creation of the Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship. The goals of the Center are to create opportunities for civic experiences and skill-building—inside and outside the classroom—for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members—and to carry forward the Sabos’ and the College’s important commitment to public service.

“The creation of the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship gives Augsburg the ongoing opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our dear friend and distinguished alumnus,” said President Paul C. Pribbenow.

“Congressman Sabo’s life-long commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. As we live out our mission and vision here at Augsburg, we, of course, are deeply engaged in helping our students to understand the electoral political process, which Congressman Sabo so ably served.”

Congressman Sabo and Sylvia Sabo are parents of Auggies Karin Mantor ‘86 and Julie Sabo ‘90. 

Sabo was distinguished in all he undertook, and in 2006 was appointed Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for outstanding work and dedication to Norwegian-American relations.

Learn about the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship at .

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What does all of this mean?

That is what former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ’59 and Lyall Schwarzkopf, a former state legislator and former chief of staff for Gov. Arne Carlson, will attempt to explain on Monday evening. “Reflections on the Elections,” an event sponsored by the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, the College Republicans, and College Democrats will be held at Augsburg College on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

The goal is to try to provide perspective from different points of view. Sabo, a DFLer and Augsburg alum, spent 46 years as an elected official, including 28 years in U.S. House of Representatives. Schwarzkopf, a Republican, was a city administrator in Minneapolis and is a past chair of the Hennepin County GOP.

“It’s a chance for people to interpret the election and what it means for the future,” Sabo said. “Lyall and I may agree on everything, we may have a difference of opinion.”

Sabo, who was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1960 and was first elected to the U.S. House in 1978, said the election was an interesting one to watch because of how it changed over time.

“The focus turned totally around in a year with the economy being the focal point,” he said. “Before it was Iraq, fiscal policy and funding.”

The country’s economic problems will be one of the biggest things that Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will have to take care of. Sabo said simply, “There’s a lot of work to do.”

While Sabo has been out of office just less than two years, this election cycle was different.

“It was more negative than when I ran,” he said. “In the Third and Sixth (districts) there were lots of negative ads. A lot of it is driven by outside groups. That’s been escalating over the last few years.”

Reflections on the Elections

Monday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

Oren Gateway Center, Room 10

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