U.S. Representative George Miller today announced that he will not be seeking re-election for his California district seat this fall. Miller is currently one of the longest-serving Democratic representatives in congress, having first been elected to his seat in 1974. He is the fifth most senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives,

“This is a great institution and I cannot thank my family and my constituents enough for having given me the honor and privilege of representing my district in Congress these past 40 years,” said Miller. “I have tried to repay them for their confidence by working hard every day to make our country a better place. I’m proud of what I have been able to accomplish on behalf of children, working people and the environment, in my district and for our country, especially passage of national health care reform. Now, I look forward to one last year in Congress fighting the good fight and then working in new venues on the issues that have inspired me. What a wonderful experience this has been.”

Miller is currently the ranking Democratic member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. In addition to his long-standing advocacy for education reform, Miller has been at the forefront of recent efforts to raise the federal minimum wage.

As part of his retirement announcement, Miller stated that he will continue to working to raise the minimum wage, as well as extend unemployment benefits during his final months in congress. In addition, he plans to push for the Higher Education Act, early childhood education funds, immigration reform, improved labor standards, and a fix for the No Child Left Behind Act.

“Capitol Hill and California are filled with Democrats and Republicans alike who have enjoyed working with George Miller and who deeply respect him because his dedication to the issues and his excitement for the legislative process are infectious and undiluted by the years he has served or the challenges he had faced,” said Nancy Pelosi, house minority leader. “For me, as Speaker and Democratic Leader, George’s patriotism, wisdom, and guidance have been especially valued, and he has been a close friend since my first days in the House.”