An old friend whom I have known since even before we served together on the Seattle City Council three decaades ago and who went on to serve in Congress for ten years; who helped establish the Cascadia Project at DI in 1992 and served as Chairman of the Board of the institute from 1999-2002, is now about to complete his fourth outstanding and productive year at the State Department as Ambassador-at-Large for Trafficking in Persons. He has decided that that’s enough.
Americans concerned about the blight of human slavery in the 21st century and who have rallied behind Amb. Miller’s “abolition movement” will be sad to see him step down. But most ambassadorial posts last only three or so years, and this one has to be one of the most grueling—hard on the body and a trial for the soul. John has visited scores of countries personally, meeting with victims, advocacy groups and governments. He has had notable successes in helping curb the modern expression of an age-old evil that most people hardly imagine still continues.
John’s sincerity and passion, and his integrity, are unmistakable. He managed to please the President and Secretary of State—whose “vision and compassion” he praised in his resignation letter--while retaining the full confidence of leaders of both political parties in Congress. Conservatives have cheered him and Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times has saluted his valor. His annual reports to Congress and the public caused enough embarrassment to leaders in other countries that they decided to get personally involved in solving the problems John and his dedicated staff have uncovered. That’s why Discovery Institute honored Amb. Miller with its Humanitarian Award two years ago and the Wilberforce Forum (named after the great anti-slavery crusader of early 19th century Britain) gave him a similar award.
Public service in such an intense environment goes fast. John decided several months ago that he would quit after four years—a long time in such a job. He departs December 15.
Several universities have sought Amb. Miller’s services and he has just decided to accept a research professorship at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He also has decided to accept my offer to become the first Discovery Institute Distinguished Fellow in International Relations and Human Rights. Our office in D.C. will facilitate the relationship, but John also will appear “back home” in Seattle from time to time.
Human rights are at least as much threatened today than at any recent time, whether it is the censorship of political dissent in police states or the soft toleration of cruel institutions of coerced prostitution in supposedly advance democracies. Ambassador Miller’s service, though private now, will still have an open field in which to operate.