[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E79-E80]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER TORRANCE MAYOR KEN MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 27, 2020

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 
life of Ken Miller--a beloved husband, father, and grandfather--who 
passed away on January 19, 2020 at the age of 97. Ken was a beloved 
community member who formerly served as the Mayor of the City of 
Torrance in my congressional district.
  Born on August 20, 1922 in Torrance, California, Ken remains the only 
Mayor of Torrance to have been born in Torrance. After graduating high 
school in 1941, Ken joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in China,

[[Page E80]]

Burma, and India during World War II. Upon the conclusion of the war, 
Ken returned to his education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from 
Occidental College. He later received his teaching credential from the 
University of Southern California. Shortly after receiving his 
credential, Ken discovered a love for real estate and founded Ken 
Miller Realty. Ken met his wife, Judy, in 1952, and they married that 
same year.
  Ken's career in local government began with his service on the 
Torrance Planning Commission from 1960 to 1962. Ken went on to serve as 
a City Councilmember from 1962 to 1970. Following his service on the 
City Council, Ken was elected Mayor in 1970. Ken served two terms as 
the Mayor of Torrance, leaving office in 1978.
  During his tenure as Mayor, Ken successfully spearheaded efforts to 
impose a two-term limit on the mayoral office through changes to the 
City Charter. The City of Torrance also owes much of its park space to 
Ken and his efforts to acquire land for public use. While in office, 
Ken helped to establish the Torrance Sister City Association, a program 
that aims to foster relationships between two different countries. 
Through his efforts, the City of Torrance developed a relationship with 
the City of Kashiwa, Japan that still exists today.
  After ending his political career, Ken co-founded South Bay Bank in 
1982, serving as a chairman until 2007. Ken's civic service commitments 
extend to his presidency of the Torrance-Lomita Board of Realtors, his 
board membership at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and his 
presidency of the Switzer Center Board of Directors. In 1990, the City 
of Torrance honored Ken with the Jared Sidney Torrance Award.
  Ken is survived by his wife, Judy, their three children, Randy, Jim, 
and Cathy, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson, whom I hope take 
comfort in the way Ken lived his life serving the city that he loved. 
Torrance loved him back. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

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