He had more political contacts at 18 years old than Ive ever had any time Ive been alive, Thomas Farrington, who worked alongside Mr. Miller in the Young Democrats in the 1970s, once told The Washington Post. He will be sorely missed.. Millers, a general store that Mr. Millers father eventually took over. Filter Obituaries Filter . Through the Miller Center and the lives he touched, his . Four years later, he was elected to the state Senate as a conservative Democrat. } Mike would often talk to whoever would listen about how lucky he was to have such a supportive family, and my heart breaks for his wife Patti, his children Tommy, Amanda, Michelle, Melissa, and Melanie, his 15 grandchildren, and his large extended family including those who were related, but also to those of us who were lucky to know him as family. Miller survived a coup attempt in 2000, engineered by Republicans and rogue Democrats, and his stature within his chamber was so powerful that the Senates new office building in Annapolis was named for him in 2001 even though he was still living and serving. Whether its the senator who he quietly consoled through family matters, the senator who he mentored to compromise and pass legislation, or those who experienced the personal care of Mike to truly listen to their concerns.. On this day of his passing, let it be known, Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. spent every single day of his life as a public servant working as hard as possible to ensure others had the ability and means to live a life with purpose, just as he did his. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the nations longest-serving president of a state Senate and a pillar of Maryland government for nearly a half-century, died Jan. 15 at his home in Chesapeake Beach, Md. Miller retired last month after more than four decades as a state senator. ET. In 1989, he told a Washington television reporter that Baltimore, Marylands largest city, was a ghetto and a war zone. Some suggested the comments ended his prospects of ever becoming governor. Maryland voters went on to approve the constitutional amendment allowing casinos in 2008, as well as an expansion four years later to add table games and what would become MGM National Harbor near the nations capital. Today, most importantly, the Millers loss a husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, confidant. This article was published more than2 years ago. Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller died Friday, the culmination of a life dedicated to Maryland that will serve the state well for decades to come, friends and . He was as kind and generous as he was powerful: a combination that leads to a once-in-a-generation leader and statesman who we can all emulate, Jones said in a statement. There are thousands of former Senators, Delegates, staffers, and constituents in the 27th District that he has impacted for the better, and who each have their own Mike Miller story. View obituary. He was the longest-serving President of the Maryland Senate, and was for a period the longest-serving state senate president in the United States. . Miller rose quickly in Senate leadership, serving as chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 1983 to 1986. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Mr. Miller adapted by forging alliances with a number of rising Black leaders. For example, he didnt support same-sex marriage but allowed the bill to come to the Senate floor in 2012. Senator Ben Cardin issued the following statement: "It will take time for me to process that we have really lost Mike Miller. The Maryland Democratic Party also issued a statement Friday evening: "These past months have been filled with difficult losses, but the passing of longtime Senate President Mike Miller is one of the most heartbreaking. Effective immediately, Maryland flags will fly at half-staff in honor of Senate President Emeritus Millers distinguished life and legacy until sunset on the day of interment.". Privacy Policy and In 2017, he was widely criticized for opposing the removal from the state capitol grounds of a statue of Roger Taney, the Maryland-born Supreme Court chief justice who supported the 1857 Dred Scott decision that Blacks in free or slave states could not be citizens. "He's survived by his wife, Patti, son, Tommy, daughters, Amanda, Michelle, Melissa and Melanie, sisters, Susan, Cynthia, Melinda, Nancy and Kim, brothers, Jonathan, David and Mark, and his 15 grandchildren, and was predeceased by his sister Judith." He . A shrewd tactician, Mr. Miller controlled the Senate under six governors and endured as opponents derided him as an autocrat, as demographics in his home base of Prince Georges County shifted, and as Marylands political culture drifted left. Search Obituaries. Miller maintained a long-held passion for higher education in Maryland, particularly the University of Maryland, College Park, his alma mater. Mike passed away in 2021, and is survived by his wife, five children, and 15 grandchildren. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He was 78. February 14, 1973 - September 9, 2022 Michael "Mike" Miller passed away unexpectedly in a car accident at the age of 49. But he will stab you in the back., Mr. Miller, when asked about Broadwaters description, replied: Thats not a bad analysis.. He slips on the ice and falls. I havent forgotten your vote, he wrote. Thanks for submitting! Whatever happens, Mr. Miller said, it would no longer be his problem. Hagerstown attorney and former state legislator D. Bruce Poole said Friday he will always remember Miller as a kind man and one whose work for the state will benefit it for many years to come. We've recently sent you an authentication link. Even as he waged a hard-fought battle with cancer, I was blessed to continue to benefit from Mikes wisdom and trademark humor. It was nothing more basic than getting reelected, Evans said. Nevertheless, he kept a framed resolution of the naming in his home. He has stated that he intended to serve out the remainder of his term in the state Senate. He was 78. If you have any questions, please email editor Danielle Gaines at [emailprotected]. Hogans son, Larry, for whom Mr. Miller babysat, became Maryland governor during the last years of Mr. Millers reign in Annapolis. ANNAPOLIS, Md. His constituents are looking at him [in] an ambulance being carted off, Miller recalled. as well as three brothers, five sisters and 15 grandchildren. "It is impossible to think of the Maryland Senate and not think of Mike not just because of his historical longevity - but because each member of the Senate has his or her own Mike story. As the Senates leader, Mr. Miller was unafraid to lacerate rivals, accusing Gov. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the venerable Maryland lawmaker who was the longest-serving state Senate president in American history, died peacefully Friday at his home after battling prostate cancer, his family announced. Thomas Vincent Mike Miller Jr. was born Dec. 3, 1942, in Clinton, Md., where his grandfather founded B.K. Miller was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1970 and then to the Senate in 1974. [citation needed], The Main Administration Building at his alma mater, the University of Maryland, College Park, was named after him on June 29, 2020. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones. A Democrat, he was first elected Maryland Senate president in 1987. I expect well hear many of them in the days and weeks ahead, and I hope the public will listen and get a glimpse of the impact Mike made.. It is impossible to think of the Maryland Senate and not think of Mike - not just because of his historical longevity -- but because each member of the Senate has his or her own Mike story, said Senate President Bill Ferguson, Millers successor. Am I on the wrong side of history? Last Name. Michael V. Miller Mike was a wonderful guy. [4], In 1971, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from the third legislative district of Maryland in Prince George's County, and served in that position until his election to the state senate in 1975. He was larger than life, a good friend, a good man who loved his family and community and an incredible public servant who dedicated himself to his beloved Maryland. Mr. Miller sometimes got himself into trouble for his freewheeling banter. Over the years, he developed close relationships with thousands on both sides of the aisle, whether they were low-level staffers or any of the six governors that came and went in his time. That happened with a strong push from the Senate president, who noted in later years that the states six casinos would be part of his legacy. Hes survived by his wife, Patti, son Tommy, daughters, Amanda, Michelle, Melissa, and Melanie, sisters Susan, Cynthia, Melinda, Nancy, and Kim, brothers, Jonathan, David, and Mark, and his fifteen grandchildren, and was predeceased by his sister Judith.. Janet Tarpley. Senate President Emeritus Mike Miller was larger than life. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County. He regularly presided over a strong Democratic majority in the chamber in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Theyre products of history.. "The First Lady and I extend our most heartfelt condolences to President Millers wife, Patti, their five children and 15 grandchildren, his Senate colleagues, and all who loved him. And so when I ran, I treated my constituents like they were my customers, Mr. Miller said in the interview. / CBS Baltimore. With large portraits of Marylands four signers of the Declaration of Independence hanging on the Senates walls, he revered his states history, and often brought the subject up in conversation or debate. Nonpartisan. He also faced scrutiny from federal prosecutors investigating contributions to a campaign fund he oversaw. March 26, 1945 - April 19, 2023 . Thomas V. Mike Miller during Maryland men's basketball's 66-78 loss to Michigan State on Feb. 29, 2020 at Xfinity Center. When News Matters, It Matters Where You Get Your News. He had a knack for colorful political theater. He thought he could print money in the basement of the State House., Marvin Mandel dies; ex-Md. As 2019 began, Mr. Miller divulged that he had cancer but kept showing up in Annapolis, eager to demonstrate his vigor even as he was undergoing chemotherapy. He regularly presided over a strong Democratic majority in the chamber in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Danielle E. Gaines contributed to this report. Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. Obituary. He was an editor at Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper, for eight years, and for eight years was the editor of E&E Daily, which covers energy and environmental policy on Capitol Hill. "For over 50 years, Mike served the people of Maryland in the General Assembly first as a staffer to the Prince Georges County Delegation; then as a member of the House of Delegates, a member of the Senate, Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee; and for 32 years, as President of the Maryland Senate. Serving the people of our great state was Mike Millers lifes work, and he did so with unrelenting passion and courage for a remarkable 50 years. Thomas Vincent Miller Jr. (December 3, 1942 January 15, 2021), known as Mike Miller, was an American politician from Maryland. Four years later, he was elected to the state Senate where he served until Dec. 23, 2020. "Even as he waged a hard-fought battle with cancer, I was blessed to continue to benefit from Mike's wisdom and trademark humor. 4 Seed in Patriot League Tournament, Maryland Honors 81 Officers for Contributions to Traffic Safety in 2022, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. It was nearly impossible to hold a conversation with Miller without escaping a history lesson. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the longest serving state Senate president in Maryland history and in the United States died Friday afternoon at his home in Chesapeake Beach following a long battle with prostate cancer. } Mike Miller Law will be in touch soon. He was 78 years old. The Southern Maryland Chronicle(SoMDC) is an all-digital news source for SoMD. Get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers in memory of a loved one in Toledo, Ohio. Miller was a titan of Maryland. Required fields are marked *. (AP) Thomas V. Mike Miller, a major force in Maryland politics for decades and the nation's longest-serving state Senate president, has died, his family said. In a show of political gamesmanship, Mr. Miller forced two special sessions of the Assembly, after which the fate of what became the MGM Casino at National Harbor was left to voters to decide in a 2012 referendum. As much as anything, he yearned for a return to the political center. Searching obituaries is a great place to start your family tree research. Larry Hogan called Miller "a dear lifelong friend. House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) praised Miller for providing advice when she became speaker in 2019. It is impossible to think of the Maryland Senate and not think of Mike not just because of his historical longevity but because each member of the Senate has his or her own Mike story, said Senate President Bill Ferguson, Millers successor. His alma mater, the University of Maryland at College Park, in June named its main administration building in his honor. He was known as a tireless advocate for higher education institutions in Maryland and the building's official moniker was the "Thomas V. Miller Administration Building. ); Republicans also treasured Millers friendship and guidance, even as they sparred with him politically. ANNAPOLIS, Md. It is impossible to think of the Maryland Senate and not think of Mike not just because of his historical longevity but because each member of the Senate has his or her own Mike story. An astute observer of state politics, he used his acumen to muscle through bills, but he also could willingly acquiesce to major legislation he opposed. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. For over 50 years, Mike served the people of Maryland in the General Assembly first as a staffer to the Prince Georges County Delegation; then as a member of the House of Delegates, a member of the Senate, Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee; and for 32 years, as President of the Maryland Senate. [7], On December 23, 2020, he announced his resignation from the senate, citing health reasons. I expect well hear many of them in the days and weeks ahead, and I hope the public will listen and get a glimpse of the impact Mike made. Coverage for the Washington Informer includes Prince Georges County government, school system and some state of Maryland government. Thomas V. Mike Miller, a major force in Maryland politics for decades and the nations longest-serving state Senate president, has died, his family said. View obituary. As recently as early December, Miller expressed the hope that he could return to Annapolis for the 2021 session. I mean, its crack. He stepped down from the leadership role just over a year ago but continued to represent portions of Calvert, Charles and Prince George's counties in Annapolis. His family said in a statement Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 that he died at home surrounded by loved ones. ", "Serving the people of our great state was Mike Miller's life's work, and he did so with unrelenting passion and courage for a remarkable 50 years," Hogan said. In 2001, the law firm became a family business when Mike's daughter, Melissa Miller, who previously served several years as Assistant State's Attorney, joined as partner. ANNAPOLIS, Md. Sign up to receive our free Daily Digest newsletter, in your inbox each morning. It came only from love for the Senate, the State of Maryland, and its people.. Jimmy Hughes*. governors scandals overshadowed states progress. By his own account, Mr. Millers crowning achievement was the legalization of casino gambling and the subsequent launch of gaming in Prince Georges, despite fierce opposition from church leaders and civic groups. 1999 Tyser Medallion Award for Outstanding service to the University of Maryland. Miller announced at the beginning of the 2019 session that he was suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer. })(); As a result, positive legislation flowed to the [Senate] floor and across the House and with the governors signature, he said. Miller, whose beloved state Senate bears his name on its Annapolis office building, presided over the chamber for . Asked in 2017 if he ever wanted to write a book about his own life, Miller responded with trademark humor: I do, except I know all the good, the bad and the ugly. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thomas Vincent (Mike) Miller Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store. SoMDC appreciates all feedback from the community, along with tips, pictures, articles contributed, and support. Serving the people of our great state was Mike Millers lifes work, and he did so with unrelenting passion and courage for a remarkable 50 years. The nation's longest-serving The Miller family released the following statement shortly after 5 p.m.: Dont ever suggest another bill! Mr. Miller yelled, according to Evans. As the oldest of 10 children, Mr. Miller navigated family squabbles often instigated by his volatile father and developed skills that helped him later maneuver in Annapolis. During a virtual briefing with reporters, he said he hoped he would be remembered for hard work, love the [Chesapeake] Bay, love of education.. Please, check your inbox! He wanted to spend money that we didnt have to spend. After quickly securing the votes to succeed Miller, Ferguson announced that his predecessor would be given the title of Senate President Emeritus, along with certain privileges. Its really time for me to get out of politics, he said in the interview. He was as kind and generous as he was powerful: a combination that leads to a once-in-a-generation leader and statesman who we can all emulate. In 1970, with the backing of the Prince Georges Democratic machine, Mr. Miller won his first political race, capturing a House of Delegates seat. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We proudly serve the African-American community families, neighborhoods, businesses, people of faith and more in the DMV. It is shit., I hope youre not going to play this on tape, Mr. Miller said, laughing nervously before adding that Baltimore is a war zone. He was 78 years old. But, you know, they were products of their times. After years as a political volunteer, his own extraordinary political career began in 1970 with his election to the Maryland House of Delegates from a district in southern Prince Georges County. Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller died Friday, the culmination of a life dedicated to Maryland that will serve the state well for decades to come, friends and former colleagues said Friday afternoon. Thomas V. Mike Miller, a major force in Maryland politics for decades and the nation's longest-serving state Senate president, has died, his family said. He was 78. He won his first election to the House of Delegates in 1970 and moved to the Senate four years later.
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