ANNAPOLIS, Md. 鈥� Maryland Senate President Mike Miller opened the Thursday morning senate session with a voice that shook with emotion from time to time, even as he worked to begin the mechanics of the lawmaking routine. His voice quavered as he said, 鈥淲e鈥檇 like everyone to record their presence in the chamber.鈥�
Miller’s voice shook with emotion as he introduced a Catholic priest who offered a prayer before the start of the session. “As you can see, I鈥檓 not off to a good start,” he said with a small chuckle.
The 76-year-old Democrat, who’s entering his 33rd year as state Senate president, made clear he鈥檇 work as long as his health would allow.聽He鈥檚 the longest-serving state Senate president ever in Maryland and in the nation.
He handed out a printed statement about his diagnosis and allowed reporters, as well as members, to read before telling them, 鈥淭he issue should not be about me. The Senate should not be about me. It should be about the Senate and the great work we鈥檙e going to do.鈥�
鈥淲ith your continued support and indulgence, I fully intend to fight this disease as so many have and to fully carry out my Senate responsibilities,鈥� Miller said in the statement, released as he addressed his colleagues on the second day of the state鈥檚 90-day session.
Miller said he had been experiencing significant back pain after hip and knee replacement surgery 鈥渢hat never seemed to heal appropriately.鈥� He was diagnosed in July with prostate cancer, and prescribed medication and physical therapy.
鈥淒espite these treatments, the pain did not subside, and on Dec. 27, I awoke with a sharp pain in my leg,鈥� Miller said.
鈥淎fter another series of tests at Johns Hopkins, the oncologist informed me and my family that the prostate cancer could no longer be managed through pharmaceuticals alone and that additional treatment would be necessary.鈥�
Miller didn鈥檛 get into specifics on the course of his treatment, or his state of mind, other than to say of the diagnosis, 鈥淚t affects every decision you鈥檙e making 鈥� so you look in the morning and you see if your hair is still there.”
He laughed, then added, 鈥淚t鈥檚 thinning out!鈥�
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, a Democrat who represents Baltimore County, is the Senate president pro tem and told reporters, 鈥淚鈥檓 very saddened by the circumstances, and I hope that the whole world will just keep praying for our great president of our Senate. Whatever he needs me to do, I will do, and I don鈥檛 think I鈥檒l do quite the job he does.鈥�
Republican Sen. Adelaide Eckardt told reporters that Miller “truly looks out for all of us. He supports all of us, he has an open-door policy. He鈥檚 always here on the floor.鈥�
She said Miller steps out of his role as he needs to, 鈥淭o chide, correct, play, tease. He鈥檚 been a well-rounded figure. He clearly knows his role. I think he coaches very well.鈥�
Republican Sen. Steve Hershey, the minority whip, said that Miller “truly is a friend to many of us, and we鈥檝e worked with him for a long period of time.鈥�
Hershey talked about Miller鈥檚 willingness to work across the aisle, while throwing a few barbs, too. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been great about being inclusive with us here, not just on our jobs,鈥� Hershey said.
Hershey mentioned that his mother visited on the first day of the session, and Miller extended a welcome to her. 鈥淗e鈥檚 all about family.鈥�
Hershey added, “We have a working relationship, and the Senate president has been great about being inclusive of the Republican Party here. But, at the same time, we鈥檙e able to go into his office, we joke around a lot of the time. We see each other outside of chambers. And he just wants to make sure that we have everything we need to operate properly; and he truly believes the best policy is both sides getting together and coming to some kind of compromise.”
Hershey does not believe that dynamics in the Senate will change. “I don鈥檛 think so yet. As (Miller) mentioned, so much of the work here is based on the committees.鈥�
Outpourings of support have come from both sides of the aisle.
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan released a statement, saying:
鈥淢y heart goes out to President Miller on what I know must be one of the toughest days he鈥檚 faced. I know firsthand how hard it is to receive a diagnosis like this. But I also know firsthand that Mike Miller has earned his place in Maryland political history because he鈥檚 a fighter who always gives it everything he鈥檚 got, no matter how tough things get. Mike鈥檚 tenacity, bravery, and perseverance will ensure that he wins this battle, and he has my full support.
Yumi and I send our heartfelt prayers to Mike, his wife, Patti, and his family during this difficult time.”
House Republicans Mic Kipke and Kathy Szeliga wrote:
鈥淲e wish the president a speedy recovery and will keep him and his family in our continued prayers. As we have seen so many times, cancer does not discriminate. We are confident that President Miller will face this new challenge with the same vigorous fighting spirit he has shown throughout his long legislative career.鈥�
Miller isn’t alone among top Maryland leaders with health concerns in recent years.
House Speaker Michael Busch, 72, had bypass surgery last year and a liver transplant the year before. Hogan, 62, was diagnosed with B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2015. The governor announced he was in remission in November 2016.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
