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. Even as he waged a hard-fought battle with cancer, I was blessed to continue to benefit from Mikes wisdom and trademark humor. 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.. He was 78. I havent missed a meeting yet and I fully participate as Im able to, he said in an interview with Maryland Matters at the time. ", Maryland has lost one of its most revered leaders, and I have lost a dear lifelong friend. Four years later, he was elected to the state Senate as a conservative Democrat. 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. Thomas V. Mike Miller during Maryland men's basketball's 66-78 loss to Michigan State on Feb. 29, 2020 at Xfinity Center. Gov. 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. For example, he didnt support same-sex marriage but allowed the bill to come to the Senate floor in 2012. At a time when "people can't get along and can't decide on anything," Miller made things work, Poole said. Michael Frank Pavuk Jr. April 25, 2023 (81 years old) View obituary. Mr. Miller sometimes got himself into trouble for his freewheeling banter. 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. That eagerness to serve fueled his historic legal and political career centered on creating a better Maryland for its people. May his memory be a blessing. Terms of Service apply. His family said in a statement Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 that he died at home surrounded by loved ones. 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. 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. Mr. Miller adapted by forging alliances with a number of rising Black leaders. Miller was the longest-serving presiding officer of a state legislature in U.S. history before relinquishing duties to Ferguson, of Baltimore, in 2019 after he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. 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. He never took his eye off of it.. Although he resided in Calvert County, some will always remember him as a Prince Georgian. Filter Obituaries Filter . Im going to do what I do as long as my health says I can do it.. 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. He concluded this extraordinary period of service as Senate President Emeritus," Ferguson said. Senate President Emeritus Mike Miller was larger than life. A Democrat, he was first elected Maryland Senate president in 1987. The process to fill Thomas V. Mike Miller's vacated seat in the Maryland Senate is reaching a . Because of his illness, Mr. Miller relinquished the Senate presidency in October 2019 but retained his seat as a rank-and-file member until Dec. 23, when he resigned. governors scandals overshadowed states progress. 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. It came only from love for the Senate, the State of Maryland, and its people.. His constituents are looking at him [in] an ambulance being carted off, Miller recalled. He won his first election to the House of Delegates in 1970 and moved to the Senate four years later. He had a knack for colorful political theater. He retained the gavel, but appeared weak at times though sound of mind. His mane of white hair and chiseled features invited reminders of the Founding Fathers, at least in appearance comparisons that Mr. Miller rarely discouraged. Mass: St. Dominic Savio Catholic Church Wednesday . 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. William Michael Stegall March 19, 2023 (52 years . As it turned out, he served another three decades as Senate president, his influence uninterrupted at the State House while moving trucks pulled up to the governors mansion across the way every four or eight years. Carie Watson. He was a hard worker, he was ethical, and he broughtlove of policy areas especially education and the Chesapeake Bay to the Senate. His alma mater, the University of Maryland at College Park, in June named its main administration building in his honor. on: function(evt, cb) { Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Mr. Miller, who regarded himself as the curator of State House history, hung portraits on his office walls of past Maryland governors, including segregationists. It gave me huge exposure to people, their issues and their problems.. The cause was complications from prostate cancer, said family spokesman Jake Weissmann. Maryland state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller announced in the Senate Chamber that he has prostate cancer on January 10, 2019. in business administration in 1964. Larry Hogan, a Republican, reflected on Millers tireless dedication to his state. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. #TrueHonorableServant.. As the longest-serving state senate leader in Maryland and US history, my friend Mike Miller had an amazing ability to get things done, Clinton said in a tweet on Friday night. "Even as he waged a hard-fought battle with cancer, I was blessed to continue to benefit from Mike's wisdom and trademark humor. Serafini said Miller was also an expert historian on state history and they often exchanged books on subjects. By BRIAN WITTE January 15, 2021. He stepped down from the leadership position in 2019 . 8808 Old Branch Avenue, Clinton, MD 20735. Danielle E. Gaines contributed to this report. Rev. Miller retired last month after more than four decades as a state senator. He is survived by hisbereft, loving wife, Diane Thomas Miller, who dearly wishes a cure would be found for Alzheimer's so fine men like Mike could live out their days . My thoughts and prayers are with Patti and his entire family. He regularly presided over a strong Democratic majority in the chamber in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. He was also fiercely loyal. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. and Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch at the State of the Judiciary speech in 2005. He was, in every sense, a lion of the Senate. Michael V. Miller Obituaries. Mike Miller Law will be in touch soon. Dont ever suggest another bill! Mr. Miller yelled, according to Evans. Blair Lee IV, then Montgomery Countys chief lobbyist, learned the consequence of opposing legislation Mr. Miller supported one day as he walked along a State House corridor. Mr. Miller cited the incident as his sole political regret. Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the longest-serving president of the Senate in Maryland and the United States, Wednesday announced he is resigning his seat, effective today . forms: { He was 78. He got his introduction to politics in 1962 as a driver for Frank Small Jr., a Republican gubernatorial candidate who lived next door to the Millers. Visit the SUBSCRIBE page to sign up for our morning newsletter. Everybody wants to take credit for MGM, Lawlah said. The Clinton, Maryland, native took office in 1975 representing Prince George's County and became senate president in 1987. Both Michael Keaton 's and Ben Affleck 's Caped Crusader will appear in the movie. "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. Fifty percent of the kids that start out in school dont graduate. Miller was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1967. More by William J. Ford, Your email address will not be published. Mike received the following awards for his long career of service: 1999 Tyser Medallion Award for Outstanding service to the University of Maryland, Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Maryland, William P. Coliton Community Service Award for Excellence. "An icon is the best way I can ever describe him," said former Washington County state Senator Andrew Serafini. } Miller was also credited with bringing funding to Prince Georges for a new $543 million, 11-story hospital scheduled to open this year in Largo. I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my friend, colleague and trusted advisor, Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., she said in a statement. Show your love for Southern Maryland by powering authoritative, in-depth reporting about your community, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it. Dr. Colin McCord, a surgeon credited with saving countless lives by championing a draconian ban on smoking in New York City and limits on trans fats in . Senator Miller dedicated his life and career to public service, representing his community in the state legislature for more than forty years. The Southern Maryland Chronicle(SoMDC) is an all-digital news source for SoMD. It was an unprecedented period of shared power and stability. Early last year, a portrait of Miller was hung in the Senate chamber, not far from where his new desk was. January 15, 2021 / 11:05 PM Larry Hogan said "Maryland has lost one of its most revered leaders, and I have lost a dear lifelong friend. Most recent obituaries in Toledo, Ohio. Whether it's 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. Miller continued to wield enormous influence for the rest of his tenure as Senate president, serving in tandem with the late speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), the longest-serving House speaker in Maryland history, from 2003 until Buschs death in 2019. 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. Whatever happens, Mr. Miller said, it would no longer be his problem. His family said in a statement that Miller died peacefully at home at 4:25 p.m., surrounded by loved ones. 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. Thomas Vincent Miller Jr. (December 3, 1942 - January 15, 2021), known as Mike Miller, was an American politician from Maryland.He had been a state senator representing the 27th District (Calvert, Charles, and Prince George's Counties) from 1975 to 2020 and served as its President from 1987 to 2020. 2023 www.heraldmailmedia.com. Coverage for the Washington Informer includes Prince Georges County government, school system and some state of Maryland government. Some of the ugly theyre still alive.. Mr. Miller survived various threats to his power, including a failed attempt to oust him in 2000 led by state Sen. Thomas L. Bromwell (D-Baltimore). Thomas was affectionately known by his family and friends as Tom or Tommy. 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.

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