SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 185
Celebrating the life of Harris Nathan Miller.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2024
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 7, 2024

 

WHEREAS, Harris Nathan Miller, an esteemed trade association executive and public policy expert and an active and beloved member of the McLean community, died on September 15, 2022; and

WHEREAS, born in Pittsburgh, Harris Miller graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh before earning a master's degree in political science from Yale University; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller embarked upon his illustrious career in public policy in the administration of President Jimmy Carter, helping to design the Senior Executive Service; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller worked on the House Judiciary Committee for United States Congressman Ron Mazzoli, contributing to the development of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, commonly known as the Simpson–Mazzoli Act; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller headed the Information Technology Association of America, playing a key role in shaping the relationship between the federal government and the technology sector in the early years of the Internet age and facilitating the public-private response to the Y2K threat in the late 1990s; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller served as president and chief executive officer of the Career College Association, later the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities, fulfilling his lifelong passion for expanding educational opportunities, which he advanced further by cofounding the Campaign for Free College Tuition; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller was chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee from 1986 to 1993 and also held leadership positions with various organizations in the areas of education, the arts, veterans' affairs, and politics, including the Virginia Opera, the National Philharmonic, the American Heart Association, the George Washington University Heart and Vascular Institute, and the Virginia Lottery Board; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller ran a reputable campaign in the 2006 Virginia Democratic primary election for a seat in the United States Senate, earning an endorsement from The Washington Post and placing second to Senator Jim Webb, who went on to win the general election; and

WHEREAS, Harris Miller will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 42 years, Deborah; his children, Derek and Alexis, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Harris Nathan Miller, a cherished member of the McLean community whose service and dedication was an inspiration to all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Harris Nathan Miller as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.