Upon his passing, Augsburg College alumnus and former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ’59 was remembered as one of the most effective members of Congress ever to come from Minnesota. An editorial published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune noted that Sabo was a “career politician” in the best possible sense and that he gave his all to strengthen democracy.
Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow said that Sabo was, “a national leader and public servant, and an inspirational legend dedicated to revitalizing the role of higher education in equipping students for active engagement in citizenship and democracy.”
Following Sabo’s retirement from public service, Augsburg founded the Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship to carry on his legacy of important work. The Sabo Center is committed to fostering civic agency and engagement on campus and in the larger community.
Sabo’s career and accomplishments were recapped by national, state, and local media, including the following:
- The New York Times: Martin Sabo, Minnesota Congressman Known for Compassion in Era of Partisanship, Dies at 78
- WCCO-TV: Looking Back At Martin Sabo’s Impact
- Pioneer Press: Martin Olav Sabo, longtime Minnesota representative, has died
- Washington Post: Martin O. Sabo, Minnesota congressman for 28 years, dies at 78
- KSTP-TV: Former DFL U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo Dies
- WDAY-TV: Former U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo dies
- BringMeTheNews: Longtime DFL lawmaker Martin Olav Sabo dies at age 78
- Star Tribune: Martin Sabo, longtime DFL congressman and politician, dies
- Minnesota Public Radio: Longtime Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo dies at 78
- Politico: Martin Olav Sabo, longtime congressman, dies at 78
- Star Tribune: Martin Olav Sabo: He gave his all to strengthen democracy
- The Column: Rep. Martin Sabo, a longtime supporter of LGBTQ equality, dies at 78
- Pioneer Press: Klobuchar, Dayton and others react to death of former U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo
- CBS Minnesota: Political Leaders React To Martin Sabo’s Death
- KARE-TV: Former congressman Martin Sabo dies at 78