*EPF511 12/03/2004
Transcript: Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson Resigns
(Bush praises his work on bioterrorism, fight against HIV/AIDS) (380)

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson announced December 3 that he is resigning his post. President Bush has not yet named his successor.

Bush praised Thompson as a "stalwart member of my homeland security team." The president cited Thompson's contributions to the U.S. response to the threat of bioterrorism and his help in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the United States and abroad.

Bush also praised Thompson for his work to improve the Medicare health insurance program for older Americans by adding prescription-drug coverage and for his other efforts to modernize and improve federal health programs.

Following is the transcript of President Bush's statement on Thompson's resignation:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 3, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

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 four years, and I appreciate his desire to tackle new challenges. I wish Tommy and Sue Ann all the best.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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