Annapolis, MD – Maryland’s current political figures have offered tributes to an elder statesman who passed away over the weekend. Marvin Mandel, 95, Maryland’s governor during most of the 1970s, died peacefully in St. Mary’s County Sunday, Aug. 30.
“As governor and a state legislator, he had a vision which led to substantial accomplishments on behalf of the people of Maryland related to education, health care, and transportation,” said Congressman Steny Hoyer [D-MD District 5]. “He was a true leader who made Maryland a better place to live and I join in celebrating his many accomplishments to our state. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time.”
“Marvin Mandel is a monumental figure in the history of our great state, and more importantly, he was fundamentally a good man and public servant,” stated Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot [D]. “As a Marylander and as comptroller, I will forever be grateful for his determination as governor to modernize and streamline state government operations which earned national renown and were vital to Maryland’s longstanding reputation for sound fiscal stewardship. On a personal note, I will always treasure his gestures of friendship, whether it was spending an afternoon in my office discussing World War II with my father, offering sage advice, or sharing one of his patented stories from days gone by. It is with deep affection and admiration that Anne and I extend our love and prayers to his family during this sad time.”
“Governor Mandel was the Speaker of the House of Delegates when I was first elected to that body,” said Maryland’s junior U.S. Senator and fellow Democrat Ben Cardin. “I was witness to and learned from his unique ability to bridge political and geographic divides to get things done for the state of Maryland. Governor Mandel understood that government existed to serve the people, he instilled that ultimate truth into every member of the House of Delegates and that tenet served as the cornerstone of his governorship. During his time as governor, we saw unprecedented investments in education and transportation infrastructure, as well as an overall streamlining of government to make it more effective. Maryland is the strong state it is today thanks in part to decisions Governor Mandel made years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
“He [Mandel] was able to accomplish his will,” Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. told The BayNet. “Many schools were built in the state due to Governor Mandel. He led the cleaning up and regulating of the wetlands. He had a quiet, gentle demeanor. I never saw him angry. He was a very good listener and a good delegator. He hired good people.”
On Monday, Aug. 31, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan ordered the state flag be flown at half-staff effective immediately until further notice in honor of Mandel.
Mandel served as governor from Jan. 7, 1969 to Jan. 17, 1979. Prior to being elected governor by the Maryland General Assembly, replacing Spiro T. Agnew, a Republican who was elected U.S. vice president, Mandel had served as speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates for six years.
Born in Baltimore in 1920, Mandel was a graduate of the University of Maryland and the University of Maryland Law School. He entered politics in 1952, winning election to the House of Delegates.
As governor, Mandel is remembered for reorganizing Maryland State Government’s Executive Branch, establishing and growing the state’s mass transit system and leading a statewide public school construction program for all of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions.
On the negative side, in 1977 Mandel was convicted in U.S. District Court on charges of mail fraud and racketeering. He served 19 months of his sentence was commuted by President Ronald Reagan. The conviction was overturned in 1987.
Mandel later served six years on the Board of Regents for the University System of Maryland.
Governor Hogan’s office announced Monday, Aug. 31 that Mandel will lie in state for a public viewing at the Maryland State House Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hogan, along with other dignitaries and elected officials, will receive Governor Mandel’s family at the State House at approximately 10 a.m. The viewing is open to the public.
On Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 11 a.m. funeral services will be held for the former governor at Sol Levinson’s and Brothers Funeral Home on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville. Following the services, interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Lakemont Memorial Gardens on West Central Avenue in Davidsonville. Afterward the family will welcome friends and neighbors at Mandel’s home on Providence Road, in Annapolis from 3:30 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services are open to the public. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Governor Mandel’s name be made in the name of Jeanne Dorsey Mandel, c/o ALS Association, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com