Chesapeake Beach, MD – The annual Louis L. Goldstein Dinner was held for the twenty-first-time Thursday, March 28 at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant. What gave this particular event its uniqueness was the announcement of a name change. Going forward, the banquet will now include the name of State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Several speakers paid tribute to Miller, who has been battling what he has described as a “very aggressive” form of cancer.
Maryland’s Senior U.S. Senator Ben Cardin said Miller, “has worked his entire political life to empower people. He has always put public interest first.”
“I have been honored to be on the ticket with Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr.,” said House of Representatives Majority Leader and Maryland Fifth District Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. “He’s committed to party, country and principle.”
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh recalled receiving Miller’s counsel during his first year in the General Assembly and his support in obtaining authorization to sue the Trump Administration for alleged violations of the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. “My office is here to fight for Marylanders,” said Frosh. “We are going to continue to hold the [U.S.] president accountable.
“It has been a pretty tough year for us but it’s all good,” said local Democratic Central Committee Member Melissa Miller, who presented her father with the first Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Legislator of the Year Award. “My father is a leader who’s never been in love with money.”
Calvert County Register of Wills Margaret Phipps, the recipient of the committee’s 2001 Louis L. Goldstein Award, thanked Miller for filling the void created nearly 21 years ago when Goldstein died suddenly. The legendary politician was seeking his 11th consecutive four-year term as comptroller in 1998. Phipps indicated that Goldstein had always made sure his small, rural home county was not overlooked in Annapolis. As senate president, Miller used his clout to protect Calvert’s interest. “Mike helps us all in Annapolis,” said Phipps, who told Miller, “I’m proud to call you a friend.”
Maryland Junior U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen said that while Miller is the longest-serving state senate president in the whole nation’s history, “longevity is not what makes him exceptional. He has an incredible sense of history. Maryland has been a state to bend the arc for justice.” Van Hollen said Miller has led the movement.
For the second year in a row, the Calvert Central Committee honored Frosh, who received the 2019 Louis L. Goldstein Award. Other award recipients included five individuals recognized by Committee Chairman David Salazar with Chairman’s Awards—Jake Weissman, Mike Fitton, Rick Piereck, Cindy Yoe and Jeanette Flaim. John Yoe received the Dan Pike Volunteer of the Year Award. Natalie Lloyd-Schultz received the Democratic Youth Activist Award. Democratic Leadership Awards were presented to Nick Fox and Renee La Fayette.
In addition to Democrats from Calvert and surrounding jurisdictions, members of national labor unions also attended the dinner. “We love our friends in labor,” said Delegate Michael A. Jackson, who noted that earlier in the day Democratic lawmakers had overridden Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of a bill that will gradually hike state workers’ minimum wages to $15 an hour. Jackson also drew applause when he declared, “we love our educators.” The Prince George’s County resident, who represents a portion of that jurisdiction and a segment of Northern Calvert, stated before the legislature adjourns for 2019 some action in response to the Kirwan Commission’s recommendations may take place.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
