So, Senator Miller demonstrating what he had preached so often stepped down to make sure his district could have the best representation possible. All rights reserved. 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. Gov. A backslapping raconteur, Mr. Miller was a singular presence as he ruled the Senate. Nonetheless, some African Americans chafed at what they regarded as Mr. Millers dictatorial control over local politics. 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.. During a virtual briefing with reporters, he said he hoped he would be remembered for hard work, love the [Chesapeake] Bay, love of education.. . Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), St. Marys College of Maryland Mens Tennis Advances to Championship in United East Conference Tournament, Cardins effort to push ERA forward falls short in the Senate, St. Marys Womens Lacrosse Secures No. 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. forms: { If you have any questions, please email editor Danielle Gaines at [emailprotected]. Miller, whose beloved state Senate bears his name on its Annapolis office building, presided over the chamber for . 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mike was a giant and a legend, who served the people of Maryland for a half century. Mass: St. Dominic Savio Catholic Church Wednesday . He was 78 years old. He had a knack for colorful political theater. 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. March 26, 1945 - April 19, 2023 . Council - 6th Ward. All of a sudden I saw this curly-haired guy coming around the corner. He didnt live in a world where he would substitute his core beliefs for what he saw as the larger consensus, said Todd Eberly, a St. Marys College of Maryland political scientist. 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. Mr. Miller befriended Smalls press consultant, Lawrence J. Hogan Sr., who would become a U.S. congressman and Prince Georges County executive. My full statement on the passing of Senate President Emeritus Mike Miller: pic.twitter.com/jKe8wRIQ14. Miller maintained a long-held passion for higher education in Maryland, particularly the University of Maryland, College Park, his alma mater. Im going to do what I do as long as my health says I can do it.. It was Mike Millers baby. Miller rose quickly in Senate leadership, serving as chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 1983 to 1986. 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.. He was a loving husband to his lucky wife, Diane, whom he married on Oct. 23, 1976. . The Southern Maryland Chronicle(SoMDC) is an all-digital news source for SoMD. [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. on: function(evt, cb) { Tom was best known for his . He also had a rendering of the trial of Mary Surratt, a Clinton native and a co-conspirator in President Abraham Lincolns assassination. 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. 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. Mike passed away in 2021, and is survived by his wife, five children, and 15 grandchildren. Through the Miller Center and the lives he touched, his . 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,. 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. Hogans son, Larry, for whom Mr. Miller babysat, became Maryland governor during the last years of Mr. Millers reign in Annapolis. On behalf of our members, we offer our most sincere condolences and prayers to MikeMillers family, friends and loved ones, Senate Minority Leader Bryan W. Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel) said Friday night. He understood that his style of politics dealmaking and consensus-building had become an antiquated art form in an era dominated by President Trump and extreme rhetoric. My thoughts are with Patti and the entire family.. It was nothing more basic than getting reelected, Evans said. 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. My thoughts and prayers are with Patti and his entire family. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Calvert Health Cancer Foundation, the Dunkirk Fire Department, the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership at the College of Southern Maryland or the Thomas V. Mike Miller Education Fund to support youth environmental education and career programs through the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Maryland state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller announced in the Senate Chamber that he has prostate cancer on January 10, 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. Here's what Maryland leaders are saying about the death of Senate Terry L. Miller April 23, 2023 (74 . At the time, he cited his health, including a longtime battle with cancer, as a reason. Some of the ugly theyre still alive.. 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. As times changed, he showed an uncanny ability to know where the Senate Democratic Caucus was and where it was headed. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Theyre products of history.. Along the way, he married his wife Patti in 1965. Council - 2nd Ward. Thomas Vincent Miller Jr. (December 3, 1942 January 15, 2021), known as Mike Miller, was an American politician from Maryland. Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller dies This article was published more than2 years ago. As a historian, theres no doubt about it, but Ill deal with that in my own mind, he said when the Senate gave the bill final passage. Nonpartisan. ", Maryland has lost one of its most revered leaders, and I have lost a dear lifelong friend. I grew up before television. As he prepares to leave office, Marylands governor reflects on his tenure during a one-on-one interview in Annapolis. Statement from Senate President Bill Ferguson: 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. An account was already registered with this email. His family said in a statement Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 that he died at home surrounded by loved ones. The Senate he presided over legalized gay marriage, ended the death penalty, introduced casino gamblingwhich greatly increased public school funding, cleaned up the Chesapeake Bay, and accomplished countless other legislative victories. Thomas Miller went home to be with the Lord in the early hours of September 30th after a courageous battle with cancer. Received an award in 2019 from the D.C. Chapter of the Society of To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thomas Vincent (Mike) Miller Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store. He was 78. He concluded this extraordinary period of service as Senate President Emeritus," Ferguson said. 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. 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. 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. Former Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has died at age 78. Mr. Miller adapted by forging alliances with a number of rising Black leaders. First published on January 15, 2021 / 11:05 PM. This may have seemed like a small sacrifice to the outside world, but anybody who knew Mike knew the decision did not come easy. (WJZ) -- Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., the former President of the Maryland Senate, died Friday afternoon, his family said. Despite his serious health challenges, he forged ahead, serving the citizens of the state of Maryland and Prince Georges County, Calvin Hawkins II, chair of the county council, said in a statement. Overcome by the news of former Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller's death Friday, his colleagues, protegees and political opponents took to social media in the hours after his death . 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. 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. ANNAPOLIS, Md. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Filter Obituaries Filter . / CBS Baltimore. 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., Miller represented the 27th District, which includes portions of Prince Georges, Charles and Calvert counties, in the Senate before announcing his resignation on Dec. 23, citing health reasons. Miller is a native son, who leaves an impactful legacy of leadership and service.. Even after his diagnosis of prostate cancer in July 2018 and a round of chemotherapy later that year, Miller continued to come to Annapolis and stand among the rostrum in the Senate chamber before going public with his condition in January 2019. 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. 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. Miller was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1970 and then to the Senate in 1974. For example, he didnt support same-sex marriage but allowed the bill to come to the Senate floor in 2012. Maryland State Senator and Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., passed away in January 2021 at the age of 78. Privacy Policy and 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.