Bush also announced he is nominating Houston School Superintendent Rod Paige to be secretary of Education, former Colorado Attorney General Gale Norton to be secretary of Interior and Anthony Principi, the former deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs, to head up that agency.
The nominees told reporters at a news conference they were humbled by their nomination and looked "forward to the challenge."
Thompson outlined the important issues he expects to tackle as HHS secretary.
"Welfare reform, health care reform, long-term care for seniors, greater opportunities for the disabled, helping the poor find work and helping the working poor find rewards in their efforts. Biotechnology and scientific research, I am absolutely passionate about these issues," Thompson said.
"Should I be confirmed," Thompson continued, "I would be fortunate to add Social Security reform and others to the list as well as have the opportunity to address all these issues at the federal level. These are all tough issues, but solving tough issues is why I got into this business."
Thompson, 59, was first elected governor of Wisconsin in 1986 and was re-elected in 1990, 1994 and 1998. As governor, Thompson signed into law the landmark "Wisconsin Works" program that replaced the welfare "entitlement" system with one that required participants to work. Proponents say it has reduced Wisconsin's welfare rolls by more than 90 percent.
Paige assured Bush that he "won't let you down," if confirmed by the Senate as Education secretary.
"I will dedicate myself everyday to the task of assuring that no child in America will be left behind.
"I'm only one of more than a thousand school superintendents in Texas who saw your compassion for our young people up close. We knew there was one thing for a candidate for political office to talk about better schools. We noticed right away, you didn't just talk the talk, you walked the walk," Paige said.
He praised Bush for being the "education governor" of Texas and predicted he would be the "education president" as well.
"Mister President-elect, you made education a cornerstone of your campaign. Those of us in education know you meant it when you said no child is to be left behind," Paige said.
Paige has served as Houston's school superintendent since 1994. He was first elected to the Houston Board of Education in 1989 and served as its president in 1992.
He strengthened the school district's accountability system by holding school officials responsible for student performance. He was named "Superintendent of the Year" in 2000 by the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Norton said the issues she would face if confirmed as Interior secretary would be "challenging and important ones," and she looked forward to them.
"From the ancient ruins of Mesa Verde to the grandeur of Yosemite Valley and the vast open lands of the West, from the untamed wilderness of Alaska to our historic treasures in Washington, D.C., the public lands of the United States are amazing places. To be asked to take on the job of managing a large portion of those beautiful and special places is an awesome responsibility," Norton said.
Norton was Colorado's attorney general from 1991 to 1999. She also served as associate solicitor in the Interior Department, overseeing endangered species and public lands legal issues for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Her experience at Mountain States Legal Foundation is sure to raise a stink with environmentalists. The conservative think tank was run by James Watt, the same man who had served as Interior secretary during the Reagan administration and became best known for angering environmentalists and for verbal faux pas dealing with the Beach Boys and disabled people.
Veterans Affairs nominee Principi said America now "reaps the fruit" of 24 million veterans," but believes the veterans are in need of "reciprocal obligation."
"The president-elect has charged me with the mission of transforming that obligation into the benefits and services earned by generations of veterans. I am proud to respond to that call, just as those veterans responded when their country called upon them.
"If confirmed, I know that I will face great challenges, but no worthwhile mission is without challenge. I know no mission more worthwhile than serving the men and women who have so honorably served their nation," Principi said.
Principi was the first deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs after being appointed by then-President George Bush in 1989. In 1992, Bush named him Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was responsible for a nationwide system of health care services and benefit programs for veterans.
Copyright
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.