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ain't I special? :D
Dear Friends,
This morning, I submitted to President Bush my resignation
as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
It was a difficult decision and one I did not make easily.
But after nearly 40 years of public service, it is time for
me and my family to move onto the next chapter in our life.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve President Bush
and the nation with each of you in this dynamic Department.
As I have often said, our 67,000-member family is home to
the finest employees in the federal government. When you
work at HHS, the greatest doctors, scientists and public servants in the world are your coworkers. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you in this noble calling.
I am extremely proud of the work we did together at
America's Department of Compassion. President Bush set
forth an ambitious agenda for our Department. And I love
a big challenge. Since the day I walked through the doors
of this building, we have worked tirelessly to better the health and well-being of the American people and our neighbors throughout the world.
Thanks to your work,
* We delivered on our promise to modernize
Medicare with prescription drug coverage - the most
historic improvement to Medicare since it was created
in 1965. Now seniors and the disabled will get
substantial help paying for the modern medicines and
preventive services that extend and enhance their lives.
* We're spending more in medical research than any
time in our history. And the President opened the door
to federal funding of groundbreaking stem cell research.
* We're investing in our long-neglected public
health system, making our nation better prepared to
fight disease or biological attacks. We're improving
the safety of the food we eat and import.
* We're developing the new medicines and vaccines
to protect our citizens from disease or bioterrorism.
* Our children are healthier than ever, with health
coverage and immunization rates at record highs and
childhood drug usage going down.
* We turned America's attention to disease
prevention, motivating Americans to eat better and
exercise more in order to improve their health and
quality of life.
* And we're waging a bold new global fight against
HIV/AIDS, committing an unprecedented $15 billion toward
eradicating this scourge. This will be a jewel in the
President's legacy - and our years at HHS.
Together, we also faced challenges that were unpredictable and unimaginable.
* HHS was among the first on the ground to care for
New York City residents and assist in the aftermath of
9/11.
* From the day I arrived, we spoke of the need to
better prepare for bioterrorism, and together we helped
this nation weather the first biological attack on its
people with the anthrax letters.
* We expanded our cache of smallpox vaccine, so we
can now protect every man, woman in child if this vicious
disease were to return.
* We protected America from SARS and we helped the
world understand this mysterious disease so we could
contain its spread.
* We're leading the world to prepare for a world flu
pandemic and Avian flu.
* And, together with our public health partners, we
have helped this nation manage an unexpected influenza
vaccine shortage.
That is quite a record in four short years. You all should be proud.
And, best of all, we are working together more closely than ever before to better serve American families. We truly are One Department - with the best and brightest working together across agencies to solve our nation's toughest problems. And we truly are the Department of Compassion.
I will miss you all more than you can ever know. I will
forever cherish the friendships I made here the last four years. And I will always be in awe of the talent, dedication and drive of the people of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Keep leading this nation forward. Keep putting the well-being of our people first. And keep changing the status quo in search of a better way.
You will always be in my prayers and in my heart.
With gratitude and friendship,
Tommy G. Thompson
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