Honoring Senate President Miller’s Legacy of Service and Passion for Conservation
The Chesapeake Bay Trust pays tribute to the late Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr., the longest serving Senate President in Maryland’s history and a fervent champion of the Chesapeake. Senate President Miller was particularly interested in youth environmental education and environmental career building, establishing in 2010 the Chesapeake Conservation Corps.
Known now since 2023 as the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, this green year-of-service program is administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust with funds from the State of Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources, BGE, and the Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Fund. The Corps increases access to green career opportunities and equips the next generation of stewards to excel and lead. Each year, more than 55 young adults are embedded in nonprofits or government agencies to gain hands-on environmental and leadership experience, training, and support networks.
In recognition of Senate President Miller’s legacy and passion, the Chesapeake Bay Trust established the Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr. Education Fund after his passing in 2021. Contributions to this fund support K-12 environmental education programs and the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps.
You can honor Senate President Miller’s Maryland and Chesapeake Bay legacy with a contribution to the Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr. Education Fund.
Give online or mail your contribution to Chesapeake Bay Trust at 108 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403, indicating in its memo that your gift is for the Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr. Education Fund.
When you make an online donation, you have the option to cover some or all of the processing fees—up to 8%—to ensure your full intended contribution supports our mission.
About the Honorable Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr.
Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr.
The oldest of 10 children, Mike Miller was born on December 3, 1942 in Clinton, Maryland in Southern Prince George’s County. Educated in the Prince George’s public school system, Mike received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland College Park in 1964, and went on to study law at the University of Maryland School of Law. Graduating in 1967, he was admitted to the Maryland State and Prince George’s County Bar Associations that same year and has been in private practice for 40 years with offices in both Prince George’s and Calvert Counties.
Mike first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates from District 27 in 1970. After serving a term in the House, he was successfully elected to the Maryland Senate in 1974. Mike quickly established himself as a leader and in 1983 became Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. As a Committee Chairman, Senator Miller recognized the importance of true leadership and in 1987 his fellow Senators elected him President of the Maryland Senate. He was elected to serve in that position for 33 years, making him the longest-serving Senate President in Maryland history and across the country when he stepped down from that post in January 2020.
Senate President Miller loved the Chesapeake Bay and wanted to ensure that it was restored and preserved for generations. In 2010, Senate President Miller was instrumental in helping to create the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The purpose of the Corps is to enable young adults to work with organizations and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region on issues surrounding the Chesapeake Bay; prepare young adults for future green careers through leadership and training opportunities including on-the-job experience, conferences, grant writing and project management; and increase the capacity of organizations to develop and implement programs and projects. He took great pride in this program, personally welcoming and addressing new members to the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps every year, even during his illness, at the annual orientation program.
The oldest of 10 children, Mike Miller was born on December 3, 1942 in Clinton, Maryland in Southern Prince George’s County. Educated in the Prince George’s public school system, Mike received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland College Park in 1964, and went on to study law at the University of Maryland School of Law. Graduating in 1967, he was admitted to the Maryland State and Prince George’s County Bar Associations that same year and has been in private practice for 40 years with offices in both Prince George’s and Calvert Counties.
Mike first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates from District 27 in 1970. After serving a term in the House, he was successfully elected to the Maryland Senate in 1974. Mike quickly established himself as a leader and in 1983 became Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. As a Committee Chairman, Senator Miller recognized the importance of true leadership and in 1987 his fellow Senators elected him President of the Maryland Senate. He was elected to serve in that position for 33 years, making him the longest-serving Senate President in Maryland history and across the country when he stepped down from that post in January 2020.
Senate President Miller loved the Chesapeake Bay and wanted to ensure that it was restored and preserved for generations. In 2010, Senate President Miller was instrumental in helping to create the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The purpose of the Corps is to enable young adults to work with organizations and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region on issues surrounding the Chesapeake Bay; prepare young adults for future green careers through leadership and training opportunities including on-the-job experience, conferences, grant writing and project management; and increase the capacity of organizations to develop and implement programs and projects. He took great pride in this program, personally welcoming and addressing new members to the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps every year, even during his illness, at the annual orientation program.
Learn More About the Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust shares a bold vision for a restored and protected Chesapeake Bay watershed and other natural resources in our area—from the Coastal Bays to the Chesapeake to the Youghiogheny River. We uniquely empower local community-based groups on the ground with the resources they need to take on a meaningful and measurable role in restoring forests, streams, rivers, bays, wildlife, and more in their own communities.
The Trust empowers these groups by providing grants and technical assistance. Every year, about 400 groups are awarded project money or provided other assistance to accomplish environmental education, community outreach, and local watershed restoration projects. Since 1985, the Trust has awarded $140 million in grants and engaged hundreds of thousands of resident stewards in projects that have a measurable impact.
The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for over two decades: on average 90 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.
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Your continued support of the Chesapeake Bay Trust will help to achieve lasting results, providing support for environmental education, community outreach, habitat conservation, and local watershed restoration projects. There are a number of ways to make a tax-deductible gift to the Trust.
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The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a 501(c)3 grant making organization dedicated to improving the watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny River. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extension allowed by law. Our Form 990, annual reports, audited financial statements, and IRS determination letter are available on our website or by contacting the Trust by phone 410-974-2941 ext. 119.
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