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photo of Tom Miller

Tom Miller, PICB 06085
Tom Miller dominated the city scene for such a long time. He had a passionate love of Austin, and it was also a proprietary love. He just felt like it was his town. He wanted to do everything for it. It was his life. —Lady Bird Johnson

Robert Thomas (Tom) Miller served as Austin's mayor from 1933 through 1949, and again from 1955 until 1961. He was a skillful politician and dedicated public servant who was responsible for the development of many of Austin's municipal facilities and services. As a staunch supporter of Roosevelt and a personal friend of LBJ, Tom Miller was able to use his Washington ties to secure for Austin the benefits of many federal projects. Under Miller, Austin received the first federal housing project, land was acquired for Bergstrom Air Force Base and Robert Mueller Airport, construction of the Lake Austin dam was completed, and public facilities such as playgrounds, libraries, parks, and community centers were developed. He took an interest in the African-American citizens of Austin, appointing some to city boards and allocating funds for improvements to East Austin streets and parks. Mayor Tom Miller ushered Austin into a new era as a major urban center.

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