Lecture: 20th- and 21st-Century Virginia Politics

To register for this program, please scroll down and click on the blue "Register" box. Learn about the evolution of Virginia politics and demographics from the rural-dominated, white-controlled society and government of the first half of the 20th century to today’s robust multi-cultural economy and politics at this lecture presented by John Milliken, Senior Fellow in Residence at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. During his career as a public official, Milliken held positions ranging from Chief of Staff for Virginia's Congressman Joseph L. Fisher to Secretary of Transportation in the Administration of Governor Doug Wilder. This presentation is non-partisan. This lecture is made possible in part by George Mason University’s Mason Speakers program, “Connecting the University with the Community.” About the Presenter John Milliken is currently a Senior Fellow in Residence at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia, having concluded more than five decades of service as a public official and private attorney. Beginning in 1975, he served as Chief of Staff to Virginia’s Congressman Joseph L. Fisher and was elected in 1980 a Member of the Arlington County Board, stepping down in the middle of his third term to accept the position of Secretary of Transportation in the Administration of Governor Doug Wilder. During his years on the Arlington Board, he was a Member of the WMATA Board and the Transportation Planning Board of the Council of Governments. More recently, he served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority under six Virginia Governors concluding his service in 2022. City of Falls Church 250 The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the formal founding of the United States. This national milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the country's founding, honor its diverse history, and explore how the American story continues to evolve. Communities across the nation, including the City of Falls Church, will host events, programs, and projects to commemorate the occasion and engage people in meaningful conversations about the past, present, and future of the United States. Learn more... He is the co-editor of The New Dominion: Twentieth Century Elections that Shaped Modern Virginia, published by UVA Press, and as an adjunct professor teaches "Virginia Politics – 1902-2024" at George Mason University.