Miller Quits OMB; Deputy to Assume Post

President Reagan today announced the resignation of James C. Miller III, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and said that Miller’s deputy, Joseph Wright, will take over.

Opening a White House ceremony with the surprise announcement, Reagan said, “I have accepted the resignation of Jim Miller as director of the Office of Management and Budget, effective Oct. 15. Deputy Director Joe Wright will take his place.

“It goes without saying that I am sorry to see Jim go. He’s made an outstanding contribution to our Administration and our nation these last few years,” the President said.

Shifting to University

Miller, who has been at the budget office in several positions since Reagan first took office, will take a position at George Mason University.

Reagan said Miller, in his first stint at OMB and while head of the Federal Trade Commission, “played a leading role in removing the shackles of excessive regulation from our economy. And I believe that a great deal of the credit for our recovery goes to that effort.”

Miller, who attended the brief ceremony about appropriations bills, thanked Reagan for his tenure, and compared it to having received his Ph.D. and having his mother tell him that no one could ever take that away from him.

“I feel that about my experience working for you,” he said. “Thank you, Mr. President.”

Smooth Transition Seen

He also assured Reagan the “transition will be as smooth as a muddy lake” and said, “You won’t miss me, Mr. President, it will be so smooth.”

Wright pledged that he would continue to work to reduce the federal deficit, and said, “Don’t worry about it, Mr. President, it will come down.”

And turning with a word to his colleague, Wright said, “Jim, I’ve been riding shotgun for you for two years . . . and I’ll move on over and guide the horses straight.”

Miller will become a distinguished fellow at the Center for Public Choice at George Mason, and also will hold the same position for Citizens for a Sound Economy and will be chairman of an advisory board for Washington Economic Research Consultants.