[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 77 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E606-E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSEPH S. MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2017

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the passing of a 
Capitol Hill icon, Joseph S. Miller, described by The Oregonian in 1987 
as the dean of lobbyists in the nation's capital who specialized in 
Pacific Northwest issues. Joe was a seminal figure in Northwest 
politics and became well-known in Washington, D.C. His career spanned 
over 70

[[Page E607]]

years, and he earned a reputation for having great political insight 
and courage.
  Joe was a respected journalist and came from the infamous Class of 
1943 at the University of Oregon, which included Les Anderson, Jeff 
Kitchens, Aaron U. Jones, and Bill Roth, Jr. After serving in the Army 
in the Aleutian Islands during World War II, he wrote for Northwest 
newspapers. He covered drama, literature, labor, politics, sports, and 
music. One weekend, he covered a heavyweight fight, a college football 
game, and the Seattle Symphony. The next day he ran into the president 
of the symphony, who said, ``Joe, last night I thought I went to a 
symphony concert, but when I read your review this morning I knew I'd 
been to a title fight instead.'' Gradually, politics and labor issues 
became Joe's focus.
  In 1958, Joe moved his wife Rosalie Daggy Miller and their two 
daughters from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to become the executive 
director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He helped 
elect many Democratic senators, including Senators Ed Muskie, Gaylord 
Nelson, Bill Proxmire, and Frank Church. Later he advised the 
presidential election of John F. Kennedy. The Washington Post once 
called him the Democrats' answer to Madison Avenue. Senator Dick 
Neuberger said of Joe that he ``would never base a campaign on personal 
malice or an appeal to a hate element. His politics are never bitter.''
  Joe had an almost encyclopedic memory for details and always told it 
like it was. These talents usually served him well as he represented 
clients such as the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, United 
Steelworkers of America, American Association of Railroads, Port of 
Portland, Western Forest Industries Association, and Association of 
Oregon and California Land Grant Counties.
  A life-long Democrat, Joe had great friendships and professional 
relationships with many Republicans. As he once said, ``We would hash 
out issues all day long, but when 5 o'clock came, we were all on the 
same side.'' Joe and his second wife, Erna Wahl Miller, personal 
secretary to Senator Henry ``Scoop'' Jackson, were valued friends and 
hosts to many in their home on Capitol Hill until Erna's death in 2004.
  In 2008, Joe's memoir, The Wicked Wine of Democracy, was published by 
the University of Washington Press. The book is a candid look at 
politics from the 1950s onward. Joe wanted to call his memoir When 
Politics Was Fun, but the UW Press, publishing the book as a potential 
political-science text, had other ideas.
  For over 40 years, Joe met for lunch every Friday at the Irish Times 
on Capitol Hill with a drop-in group of old and new friends. He 
respected ``the wit and wisdom of his Friday lunch gang,'' which 
represented a wide range of political thought. Joe's ability to listen 
to other points of view and to find common ground kept his voice 
relevant and in demand throughout his life.
  Joe was a great believer in the ``American Political Way'' and said, 
``We have overcome many challenges over two centuries and have always 
emerged a stronger and more democratic nation as a result.''
  Thanks to Joe Miller for his dedication and contributions to the 
political process. His positive outlook and ability to adapt to 
changing times, even in his 90s, will be missed.

                          ____________________