[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E257-E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF RETIRING UNIVERSITY OF 
               WISCONSIN SYSTEM PRESIDENT TOMMY THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2022

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of the career and 
service of retiring University of Wisconsin System President, Tommy 
Thompson.
  Throughout Mr. Thompson's long and esteemed career, he has been 
admired by his peers for his incredible dedication to public service. 
From being born and raised in Elroy, Wisconsin, to enlisting in the 
United States Army National Guard, to becoming the longest-serving 
governor in Wisconsin history, Mr. Thompson's commitment to the State 
of Wisconsin and our Nation never waivered. I commend Mr. Thompson's 
service and thank him for the enormous contributions that he has made 
to the State of Wisconsin and to the United States.
  Mr. Thompson's successful tenure as governor was spearheaded by major 
initiatives like the nation's first school-choice program that 
Wisconsinites continue to benefit from today. His push for the parental 
school-choice program created unparalleled educational opportunities 
for students and witnessed record participation. Governor Thompson led 
the way on education, healthcare, and welfare reform setting the stage 
for decades of prosperity in Wisconsin. Given the success of his 
governorship, Mr. Thompson was appointed by then President George W. 
Bush to serve as the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary from 
2001 to 2005. During his time as HHS Secretary, Mr. Thompson played a 
key role in projects and initiatives that resulted in greater 
transparency and efficiency throughout the agency.
  During his almost 60-year career, Mr. Thompson has proven himself to 
be one of the most successful public servants in Wisconsin history. In 
2019, Mr. Thompson yet again answered the call to service as he was 
named President of the University of Wisconsin System. Under his 
leadership, the UW System prioritized developing, attracting, and 
retaining students and educators that will benefit from the world-class 
education that the UW system has to offer. As President, Mr. Thompson 
also helped the UW System navigate the incredible challenges of a once-
in-a-lifetime pandemic. The State of Wisconsin is grateful for Mr. 
Thompson's lifetime of service and dedication to our great state.
  As we look back on Mr. Thompson's career, there is no doubt that he 
has dedicated his life to making the world around him a better place. 
Mr. Thompson's continued service to both the State of Wisconsin and the 
United States is worthy of our highest degree of recognition. I urge 
all of my colleagues in this body to join me in congratulating Mr. 
Thompson on another successful tenure in public service and on his 
retirement from the UW System. I wish him all the best in his future 
endeavors.

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