[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 61 (Friday, April 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4720-S4721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING MIDGE MILLER

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, on April 17, Wisconsin bid farewell 
to a pioneer in politics. Midge Miller was a remarkable woman, and I 
want to take a few moments to honor her service, her activism, and her 
extraordinary spirit.
  Midge arrived in Madison, WI, in 1957. By that time in her young life 
she had served as a missionary in Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima 
and Nagasaki, had lost her husband to a tragic shipwreck, and was about 
to begin graduate school in Madison. She was also the mother of four 
young children.
  She went on to serve as assistant dean of UW's College of Letters and 
Science, one of Wisconsin's most effective State senators, a 9-year 
member of the Democratic National Committee, and a founder of the 
National Women's Political Caucus. Along the way she found time to 
volunteer for a host of causes, all of them aimed at advancing peace 
and equality and giving hope to people who too often found themselves 
outside the ``system.'' She defended civil liberties, expanded civil 
rights, protected the environment, and fought for consumers.
  Always mindful of her many roles, Midge could all at once be a 
remarkable leader, active constituent, and a responsible steward of 
everything, and to everyone, she touched. When the phone rang and her 
gentle voice came through on the other end, no matter on what subject 
or cause, listening, learning, and being compelled to action were the 
only obvious responses when she was finished with you. From my first 
days in office right up until recently, Midge was always there to 
advise me but also hold me accountable. She showed her loved ones in 
her family and those she came to love in her

[[Page S4721]]

community what it meant, in the words of Gandhi, to be the change we 
want to see in the world. Countless people, especially women in our 
State, credit her for the opportunities and inspiration she provided 
that helped them reach their potential.
  She was an extraordinary mentor, motivator, and mother. She was 
tireless and tenacious. She never lost her zeal to make the world a 
better place. Throughout her life, Midge Miller exemplified public 
service, social responsibility, goodness, and grace. For all those 
reasons and many more, I am honored to have known Midge Miller and send 
my heartfelt condolences to her family.
 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, it is with great sadness that I 
remember a good friend, a great Wisconsin progressive, Midge Miller, 
who recently passed away at age 86.
  Midge was famous for many things, including her vital work on Eugene 
McCarthy's Presidential campaign, her efforts to help found the 
National Women's Political Caucus and the Madison Institute, and her 
service on the Democratic National Committee, in addition to her many 
years of service representing the west side of Madison in the Wisconsin 
State Assembly. Above all, though, Midge was known for who she was 
rather than the many things she accomplished. She was, very simply, a 
force of nature. Midge was a dynamo who was always striving to do more 
and to get those around her to do the same. That was why she was loved 
by so many and why she will be so greatly missed.
  I was proud to serve with Midge in the State legislature, where she 
was a legendary figure. She was a true reformer, a role model, and a 
treasured colleague. When I arrived in the State Senate as a young 
legislator, Midge was always complimentary and supportive, which meant 
a great deal to me. At the same time, in true Midge fashion, she never 
failed to give me either additional work or a reading assignment. It 
was that determination to keep working for change, and to make sure 
that the rest of us were working for change alongside her, that truly 
made Midge one of a kind.
  Midge was an outstanding representative for the people she served. In 
the State assembly, she used the skills she had honed from her work on 
the McCarthy campaign, advancing women's rights, and as a leader in the 
Democratic Party, to great effect. She was a terrific ally, a 
formidable opponent, and an unfailing advocate for the people she 
represented. And, in the end, she didn't just represent the west side 
of Madison, she represented all who care about economic and social 
justice, and the countless other causes she championed.
  As I make this tribute to Midge, I am particularly proud of the way 
she represented what is best about our State's progressive tradition. 
She was absolutely committed to making democracy work for everyday 
people, people who deserve a decent wage, safe working conditions and 
good health care, and who deserve to be treated equally, no matter 
their gender, their religion, or the color of their skin. Her values 
were the progressive values that have helped to strengthen our State, 
and the Nation, for more than a century.
  Like so many Wisconsinites, my thoughts are with Midge's wonderful 
family, as people across the State and across the country mourn her 
loss. We are so fortunate that Midge devoted her tremendous energy, 
devotion and skill to bettering all of our lives. I am grateful to have 
known Midge Miller, and I am honored to pay tribute to her 
today.

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