Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. died Friday afternoon at age 78 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Serving one-term as a delegate, Senate President Emeritus Miller was elected to the Senate in 1974, where he served as Senate President from 1987 to 2019. He was the longest-serving state Senate President in American history. 

Senate President Emeritus Miller will lie in state in the rotunda of the Maryland State House on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm and on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person visitation will be limited to appointments for invited guests only. Visitors must remain socially distanced and masks will be required at all times. State House staff has increased air circulation, created restricted walkways with marked off standing spots. Anyone entering the State House will be strongly encouraged to be tested, and will have to complete mandatory health and temperature screenings. The visitation will be streamed online.

Troopers who have previously served with President Emeritus Miller will provide an escort from the Lee Funeral Home to the Maryland State House, passing by Senator Miller’s law offices, the Prince George’s Fire Department in Clinton, MD, Surrattsville High School, Chesapeake Beach, Dunkirk Fire Department, and Herrington Harbor before arriving at the State House. Well-wishers are encouraged to send him off from these outdoor locations, but they are asked to wear masks and maintain proper social distancing protocols. A Maryland State Police procession will escort President Emeritus Miller from Route 50 Exit 24 to the State House. Evening visitation will be for family members only.

On Friday, visitation from the State House will be from 8AM-11AM, and from 3PM – 7PM, with a pause for the Senate Session from 12PM-2PM. At 7:00PM, the Maryland State Police will escort President Emeritus Miller from the Maryland State House to Route 50. Troopers who have previously served with President Emeritus Miller will provide an escort to the Lee Funeral Home.

Press Release – Arrangements For Senate President Emeritus Thomas V Mike Miller Jr

House and Senate leaders and Governor Hogan offered comment regarding the Senate President Emeritus’s death as provided by Maryland Reporter,

“Mike was a family man, and his Senate family joins his family in mourning his passing,” [Senate President] Ferguson said in a statement. “For over 50 years, Mike served the people of Maryland in the General Assembly – first as a staffer to the Prince George’s 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. He concluded this extraordinary period of service as Senate President Emeritus.”

Ferguson added: “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. 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. 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. I expect we’ll 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.”

Gov. Larry Hogan echoed simliar sentiments.

“Maryland has lost one of its most revered leaders, and I have lost a dear lifelong friend,” Hogan said in a statement.

Hogan added: “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. Even as he waged a hard-fought battle with cancer, I was blessed to continue to benefit from Mike’s wisdom and trademark humor. He was, in every sense, a lion of the Senate.”

Hogan said that “effectively immediately” Maryland flags will fly at half-staff in honor of Miller and that the state’s flags will remain at that posture until “sunset on the day of interment.”

House Speaker Adrienne Jones said: I was fortunate to have received his counsel and advice when I became Speaker. 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.”

Additional coverage can be found in the following publications.

Maryland Matters
Washington Post
Baltimore Sun
The Daily Record