Expanding Miller Center plans new office in nation’s capital

The University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs is getting closer to the American power base by opening a Washington office to better connect with national leaders and alumni.

The Charlottesville-based center studies modern American presidencies and serves as a nonpartisan public policy center.

“Our work has made a real difference, both for our nation’s history and its future,” said Gerald L. Baliles, Miller Center director and former Virginia governor. “My hope is that our new location in Washington will allow us to make more of a difference.”

Miller Center officials in D.C. will work with former Secretaries of State James Baker and Warren Christopher, who co-chaired a commission on the war powers of the president and Congress. They’ll also work with former Transportation Secretaries Norman Mineta and Sam Skinner, who are helping to produce a report on how to improve the nation’s transportation system.

The D.C. location will aid in compiling oral histories of presidents and other policymakers and will help facilitate the center’s sponsorship of public policy debates in partnership with MacNeil/Lehrer Productions and the National Press Club.