[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
[December 13, 2004]
[Pages 3070-3071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the Nomination of Michael O. Leavitt To Be Secretary of Health and Human Services
December 13, 2004

    The President. Thank you. Good morning. I am pleased to announce the 
nomination of Michael O. Leavitt as the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services. Last year I welcomed Mike to my Cabinet as the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency. In that office, he has enforced 
high standards and a spirit of cooperation and with good common sense. 
He has upheld this administration's commitment to sustain improvements 
in the quality of the natural environment. He has managed the EPA with 
skill and with a focus on results. I've come to know Mike as a fine 
executive, as a man of great compassion. He is an ideal choice to lead 
one of the largest departments of the United States Government.
    The Department of Health and Human Services touches the life of 
every person in this country. From the safety of our food and medicine 
to the Medicare program to preparing for any kind of health emergency, 
HHS has comprehensive responsibilities for the health of Americans. To 
meet those responsibilities, the Department needs many thousands of 
skilled professionals and a leader who is able to act on many fronts all 
at once.
    For the last 4 years, HHS has served the American people extremely 
well under the energetic leadership of Tommy Thompson. Early in his tenure, our Nation went on a wartime footing 
and had to prepare for emergencies of a kind never seen before. 
Secretary Thompson led the effort to prepare the medical infrastructure 
for any terrorist challenge.
    At the same time, he has presided over dramatic increases in medical 
research, adding to the promise of hopeful new cures. He's helped set in 
motion major improvements in Medicare, which will benefit seniors all 
across America. He has worked closely with State and local officials to 
ensure that public health programs function as effectively as possible. 
And throughout his career as Governor and as Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, Tommy Thompson has led 
efforts to reform welfare laws and to help more people transition from 
welfare to work. Tommy Thompson is a good friend who has given every day 
of the last 38 years to public service. As he and Sue Ann move on to new challenges, Tommy has my deep gratitude 
for a job well done.
    My new nominee for HHS Secretary, like Tommy Thompson, served many years as a Governor. The people of Utah 
elected Mike Leavitt to three terms, and during his administration, Utah 
was named one of the best managed State governments in the country. 
Governor Leavitt was a leader in welfare reform, resource management, 
and environmental stewardship. He improved child welfare services in the 
State and made strides toward expanding access to health care for 
children. He made government services more accessible through the 
Internet, and he always insisted that the government remain accountable 
to the people it serves.
    When confirmed by the Senate, Mike Leavitt will be charged with a 
broad agenda for the health and safety of the American people. In this 
new term, we will implement the first-ever prescription drug benefit for 
seniors under Medicare. We will expand Federal cooperation with faith-
based groups that provide essential services, such as counseling and 
treatment for addictions. We will continue pursuing the great promise of 
medical research, always ensuring that the work is carried out with 
vigor and moral integrity. We will not relent in our efforts to protect 
the American people

[[Page 3071]]

from disease and the use of disease as a weapon against us.
    Mike Leavitt is the right leader to lead HHS in meeting all these 
vital commitments. I thank him for accepting this new responsibility. I 
also thank his wife, Jackie, and their 
son Westin for being with us today. I urge 
the Senate to confirm Governor Leavitt's nomination as soon as possible.
    Congratulations.

[At this point, Secretary-designate Leavitt made brief remarks.]

    The President. Good job.

Note: The President spoke at 10:38 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-designate Leavitt. The 
Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of these remarks.