thomas v mike miller obituary
Millers Senate seat was just filled Wednesday, the first day of the General Assembly session, by former Del. Im going to do what I do as long as my health says I can do it.. Nonpartisan. Mike was a giant and a legend, who served the people of Maryland for a half century. 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, Ferguson said in a statement. Privacy Policy and Senate President Mike Miller has metastasized prostate cancer, faces chemo", "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Maryland Senate President Emeritus", "University of Maryland Main Administration Building Named for Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr", "Maryland delegate's effort to allow child abuse lawsuits clears hurdle", "Mike Miller resigning from Maryland Senate after more than 45 years", "Longtime Maryland Senate leader diagnosed with cancer", "Mike Miller, longest-serving Maryland Senate president, dies at 78", Project Vote Smart - Senator Thomas V. 'Mike' Miller Jr. (MD), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_V._Miller_Jr.&oldid=1130954990, This page was last edited on 1 January 2023, at 20:45. Miller held close friendships with politicians in higher office he was close with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton but preferred his niche in the Senate, mentoring new lawmakers and overseeing the historical artifacts and exhibits in the State House complex. House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) praised Miller for providing advice when she became speaker in 2019. Thomas Vincent Mike Miller Jr. was born Dec. 3, 1942, in Clinton, Md., where his grandfather founded B.K. Even though we clashed and passionately disagreed on issues, there was never a doubt that he was doing what he thought was best for the people of Maryland.. The people of Maryland are forever indebted for his service.". Larry Hogan (R) to succeed Miller in the Senate and was sworn in Wednesday, said his heart hangs heavy upon word of Millers death. (AP) 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. He was the longest-serving President of the Maryland Senate, and was for a period the longest . Thomas Vincent Miller Jr. (December 3, 1942 January 15, 2021), known as Mike Miller, was an American politician from Maryland. He saw everything from a historical context and tried to get ahead of history to see where things were going.. 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. He was, in every sense, a lion of the Senate, Hogan said. He had a knack for colorful political theater. Besides a picture of Miller in the Senate chamber and his name on the office building, his Senate colleagues created the title of President Emeritus and voted to bestow it upon Miller. 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. Most recent obituaries in Toledo, Ohio. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. But even his most brash comments didnt seem to hurt him significantly on Election Day or during the annual votes by the Senates 47 members at the start of each legislative session in January to keep him at the helm of the chamber for 32 years. [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. As recently as early December, Miller expressed the hope that he could return to Annapolis for the 2021 session. He was also known for his sense of humor, was on display the day after the 2019 death of House Speaker Michael Busch, when he told a story from 1987 of Busch, then a first-year delegate, having a bit of a mishap during an inaugural parade around the State House for Gov. 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. [8], Miller was married; he and his wife lived in Chesapeake Beach and had five children, a son and four daughters. . Miller announced at the beginning of the 2019 session that he was suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer. 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," Ferguson said. Pat Kelly*. [7], On December 23, 2020, he announced his resignation from the senate, citing health reasons. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr - The Arts of Entertainment | Facebook Former Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has died at age 78. It was an unprecedented period of shared power and stability. View obituary. Thomas V. Mike Miller, longtime president of Maryland Senate, dies 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. He wanted to spend money that we didnt have to spend. Miller was a University of Maryland graduate and remained a passionate booster of the College Park campus and its sports teams until his dying day. Looking to represent the people of Prince Georges County, his main areas of practice were criminal defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, and workers compensation. In 1970, Mike was nominated to the House of Delegates to represent his district in Prince Georges County, and four years later was elected to the State Senate. "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. Obituaries give visitation, funeral and memorial details. 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. Both Democrats were 25 when they were elected to the House of Delegates on Election Day. Former Maryland Senate President Miller resigns, citing his health He was 78. 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. } Miller kept a keen eye on politics statewide, particularly state Senate races. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Poole said he last talked to Miller around Dec. 23 and the two had a brief, but nice conversation. Michael Miller Obituary (1973 - 2022) - Laguna Hills, CA - Orange 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. "Even as he waged a hard-fought battle with cancer, I was blessed to continue to benefit from Mike's wisdom and trademark humor. Once, while discussing a tough special session in 2007, he pulled back his suit jacket and showed reporters where red ink from a pen had leaked, as if he were bleeding. 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. His core was delivering as a retail politician.. His family said in a statement that Miller died peacefully at home at 4:25 p.m., surrounded by loved ones. Please, check your inbox! In a nod to Millers stature, one of the Senates office buildings already carried his name when he wasnt even halfway through his unprecedented tenure. Some families choose to hold a visitation before the service, while others may prefer a more low-key or private family . 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. In a nod to Millers stature, one of the Senates office buildings already carried his name when he wasnt even halfway through his unprecedented tenure. Mike then went on to start his own legal practice, opening his first office in Clinton, MD, just down the road from his grandfathers store. Today, I join all Marylanders in mourning the passing of a champion of the Senate of Maryland, Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Mike was a family man, and his Senate family joins his family in mourning his passing. He was 78. He was a Maryland institution, as the longest-serving Senate president in our state's history. 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. Mr. Miller often attributed his political endurance to his ability to see whats going to happen before it happens. Despite his own reservations, he facilitated the abolition of the death penalty in Maryland in 2013 after polls showed the public supported the ban. 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. He was a master politician, statesman, avid student of history, mentor and friend. That session became a three-week grind to pass tax increases and a constitutional amendment to allow five casinos with slot machines a long-debated proposal Miller supported to raise state revenue. as well as three brothers, five sisters and 15 grandchildren. He was 78. Miller maintained a long-held passion for higher education in Maryland, particularly the University of Maryland, College Park, his alma mater. Mr. Miller clung to his grudges as if they were prized treasures. In a statement, current Senate President Bill Ferguson called Miller a "champion of the Senate": "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. Patricia H. Billings (D-Montgomery) opposed legislation he supported, Mr. Miller sent her a Christmas card. Gov. Clinton also put in a surprise appearance in Annapolis in 2019, at a dinner for former Maryland senators, to pay tribute to his old friend, who had disclosed his cancer diagnosis just a few months earlier. Miller described his mother as a Franklin Roosevelt Democrat and his father as a conservative Republican, and his own political makeup seemed like a combination of the two. Get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers in memory of a loved one in Toledo, Ohio. If he needed you, he brought you back, said former state senator Gloria G. Lawlah (D-Prince Georges), who mended fences with Mr. Miller after a falling-out. It was Mike Millers baby. Working for Mike was like working in the Mafia you go out feet first, said Gerard Evans, a lobbyist and longtime friend. Our lives were intertwined, starting with our days together at the University of Maryland Law School and then serving together in the Maryland General Assembly. [2][9] Miller died at home in Chesapeake Beach from the effects of the disease on January 15, 2021. Paid for and Authorized by Marylanders for Miller; Kimberly M. Miller, Treasurer 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. That eagerness to serve fueled his historic legal and political career centered on creating a better Maryland for its people. Miller, a 78 year-old native of Clinton, Md., had served as a Maryland state senator from 1975 until his . Hogans son, Larry, for whom Mr. Miller babysat, became Maryland governor during the last years of Mr. Millers reign in Annapolis. 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.". Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller dies Staff writer Erin Cox contributed to this report. Maryland Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller, a pragmatic, tough-minded leader who presided over a progressive agenda in the chamber for a record 33 years, died Friday afternoon, his family announced. Today, most importantly, the Millers loss a husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, confidant. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. He once declared at a 2006 luncheon with fellow Democrats that they would put Republicans in the ground in the upcoming election. Most recent obituaries in Fort Mill, South Carolina. { After chairing the Judiciary Proceedings Committee from 1983 to 1986, Mike became Senate President in 1987, a role he would maintain until the fall of 2019. As a result of his tenacity and spirit, he was able to shepherd vitally important legislation to the Senate floor, through the House, and to the Governor for signature. He once declared at a 2006 luncheon with fellow Democrats that they would put Republicans in the ground in the upcoming election. Filter Obituaries Filter . As times changed, he showed an uncanny ability to know where the Senate Democratic Caucus was and where it was headed.
