"The health and well-being of our young people is important to all of us. That's why young women ages 9 to 13 have to be taught that using any alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs is unsafe and unhealthy. And, chances are if you never try drugs as a teenager, you won't use them as an adult. That's an important goal for today and for our future. So as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm charging America's teenage girls to say NO to drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. Our country needs you to remain healthy and strong so you can be our next generation of leaders." - Secretary Tommy G. Thompson

As the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson is in charge of the health and welfare of all Americans. He is the 19th person to serve as Secretary of the department. More than 60,000 people work at the department, and it has a 2001 budget of $429 billion.

Secretary Thompson began his political career in 1966 as a representative in Wisconsin's State Assembly. Before becoming the Secretary of Health and Human Services, he served as the Governor of Wisconsin. He was first elected in 1987 and served for a State record of four terms!

During his 14 years as Governor, he helped reduce the number of people on welfare in the State, expanded health care coverage for low-income people, and improved education.

Welfare

In 1996, Secretary Thompson began Wisconsin Works, or "W-2," a welfare program that helped unemployed people re-enter the workforce. W-2 requires that people in the program work while the State pays for childcare, health care, transportation, and job training. This successful program reduced the number of people on welfare in Wisconsin, allowing them to have a better quality of life.

Health Care

Secretary Thompson has helped many low-income children and families to get health insurance through a program for families who cannot afford health insurance. Since the program began, more than 80,000 children and adults without health insurance have enrolled in Wisconsin BadgerCare. (The program is called BadgerCare in honor of the State animal of Wisconsin, the badger.)

Secretary Thompson also worked on Wisconsin's Pathways to Independence, which is the Nation's first program to let people with disabilities enter the workforce without fear of losing their health benefits.

He also created FamilyCare, a program that lets elderly and disabled people receive medical care in their homes.

Education

As Governor, Secretary Thompson made education a priority. In 1990, he created the Nation's first school choice program, which let low-income Milwaukee families pick whether to send their children to private or public school.

He helped improve the University of Wisconsin with new buildings and programs to attract great teachers while keeping tuition affordable for students.

Awards

• The Anti-Defamation League's Distinguished Public Service Award
• The Governing Magazine's Public Official of the Year Award (1997)
• The Horatio Alger Award (1998)