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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
February 15, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Vos and Steineke. Referred to
Committee on Rules.
AR27,1,2 1Relating to: honoring Governor Tommy G. Thompson for his achievements and
2extraordinary service to the state and people of Wisconsin.
AR27,1,63 Whereas, Governor Tommy George Thompson has had a long and exceptional
4career in public service, serving in the Wisconsin Assembly, as governor, as secretary
5of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and most recently
6as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System; and
AR27,1,87 Whereas, Governor Thompson was born on November 19, 1941, in Elroy,
8Wisconsin, and remained there throughout his childhood; and
AR27,1,109 Whereas, Governor Thompson attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
10where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1963 and a juris doctor in 1966; and
AR27,1,1311 Whereas, Governor Thompson began his career in public service in 1966, when
12he joined the Wisconsin National Guard and was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly
13at age 24; and
AR27,1,1514 Whereas, Governor Thompson served in the Wisconsin National Guard for six
15years and served another four years in the Army Reserves; and
AR27,2,2
1Whereas, during his first term in the Assembly, Governor Thompson was
2appointed to serve on the powerful Joint Committee on Finance; and
AR27,2,53 Whereas, throughout his 20 years in the Assembly, Governor Thompson served
4in other important leadership roles, including assistant minority leader and
5minority leader; and
AR27,2,86 Whereas, Governor Thompson was elected governor of Wisconsin in 1986, was
7re-elected an unprecedented three times, and served as governor for a total of 14
8years, making him the longest serving governor in Wisconsin history; and
AR27,2,119 Whereas, as governor, Governor Thompson was a pioneer in enacting
10innovative policies that served as national models, such as welfare reform and school
11choice; and
AR27,2,1412 Whereas, while governor, Governor Thompson served in several leadership
13roles, including chair of the Amtrak Board of Directors and chairman of the National
14Governors Association; and
AR27,2,1715 Whereas, Governor Thompson was appointed by President George W. Bush to
16serve as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, a position he
17held from January 2001 until January 2005; and
AR27,2,2018 Whereas, while Secretary of Health and Human Services, Governor Thompson
19was the first cabinet secretary on the ground in New York City following the 9/11
20terrorist attack on the World Trade Center; and
AR27,2,2521 Whereas, as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Governor Thompson
22served as the chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and
23led several significant health initiatives, including expanding health insurance
24coverage to low-income Americans and strengthening the country's preparedness
25for bioterrorism attacks; and
AR27,3,3
1Whereas, Governor Thompson served as interim president of the University of
2Wisconsin System from July 2020 to March 2022, as the system faced unprecedented
3challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
AR27,3,94 Whereas, Governor Thompson has received many awards and distinctions for
5his service, including the Horatio Alger Foundation's Distinguished American
6Award and Governing Magazine's Most Valuable Public Official Award, and has had
7several places named in his honor, including the Tommy G. Thompson Center,
8Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership at the University of
9Wisconsin-Madison, and Governor Thompson State Park; and
AR27,3,1210 Whereas, Governor Thompson is a loving husband to Sue Ann, his wife of over
1150 years, and treasured father to three children: Jason, Kelly, and Tommi; now,
12therefore, be it
AR27,3,15 13Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin Assembly do
14hereby commend the accomplishments and dedicated service of Governor Tommy G.
15Thompson to the state and people of Wisconsin; and, be it further
AR27,3,18 16Resolved, That in recognition of his many years of distinguished service to the
17legislature and the people of Wisconsin, the Assembly Parlor in the Capitol shall be
18known as the Tommy G. Thompson Assembly Parlor.
AR27,3,1919 (End)
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