[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 49 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Page 2899]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Resignation of Tommy G. Thompson as Secretary of Health 
and Human Services

December 3, 2004

    I have known Tommy Thompson for many years--first when we served as 
Governors and then as my Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is a 
friend and a true public servant who worked every day to make Americans 
healthier and to help more Americans in need achieve the dream of 
independence and personal responsibility.
    He worked to modernize and add prescription drug coverage to 
Medicare for the first time in the program's history. He focused on 
expanding services to seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income 
Americans. He led the effort to broaden the network of community health 
centers across our country and to advance the development and use of 
health information technology. Throughout his career as Governor and as 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy has led efforts to reform 
welfare laws and help more people transition from welfare to work.
    Tommy has been a stalwart member of my homeland security team, 
especially through his contributions to our Nation's response to the 
threat of bioterrorism. And he has done a superb job in our 
compassionate mission of helping those here and abroad fight the scourge 
of the HIV/AIDS virus.
    Tommy served as Governor of Wisconsin for 14 years and has served as 
Secretary of Health and Human Services for 4 years, and I appreciate his 
desire to tackle new challenges. I wish Tommy and Sue Ann all the best.

 Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also made available Secretary 
Thompson's letter of resignation.