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New Portrait of Tommy Thompson  (7 comments)

Posted by: Michael Leavitt
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

There is a new portrait hanging in the Great Hall of HHS Headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is of former Secretary Tommy Thompson, who I followed as Secretary here at HHS. Governor Thompson’s portrait joins a collection of the other 18 Secretaries who have served since HHS became a Department.

I have a long friendship and association with Tommy Thompson. We served together as Governors and worked together often. Ironically, much of our work together was on issues at the heart of the HHS mission. We were among a small team of Governors who consulted Congress on welfare and Medicaid reform in the mid-1990s.

I followed Tommy as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association and the National Governors Association. We served on the Cabinet together when I ran the EPA and then I followed him at HHS.

Tommy Thompson is a good leader with the capacity to get his ideas implemented. I see the evidence of his work and legacy often as I travel the country and world.

In addition, he’s just a terrific guy. At the portrait unveiling ceremony, many of his former colleagues had gathered. In his animated way, Tommy told stories, joked and reminisced.

A couple of my children were in town and I invited them to stay for the ceremony. Later that night, they commented on how much they enjoyed his jovial Irish way. I’m with them. Tommy Thompson is my friend and it has been a privilege to work with him for these many years.

Portrait of Tommy Thompson.

7 Responses to “New Portrait of Tommy Thompson”

1. Connor says:

   April 3, 2008 at 1:55 pm

   I’d like to know how much of the taxpayer’s money was used to commission this painting (and all others). Seems like a great way to spend my hard-earned money.
2. jellaby says:

   April 4, 2008 at 8:46 am

   In response to the last comment:

   Zeal without knowledge produces ineffective morons. Connor, you have the right idea but the wrong direction.

   Get a clue.
3. Emily says:

   April 7, 2008 at 7:01 am

   I like the painting.

   It seems like a lot of places have paintings of people who did important things before photography was popular or available. And then they start taking and hanging big photographs instead of painting paintings. I guess photos are easier.

   I still like paintings, though. They look classier to me, and I think they’re more of a tribute to the person painted than big photographs are. Photographs take a few minutes; paintings require time and effort, and skill.
4. Arnon Krongrad, MD says:

   April 9, 2008 at 7:35 am

   A month ago, Tommy Thompson called on the presidential candidates to take positions on prostate cancer. As we watch the discord intensify between patient and physician communities (see the FDA Provenge fiasco as exhibit A), it is time for more than words. The question is what can be done?

   We don’t have all the answers but we are trying one: a new online not-for-profit prostate cancer social network: http://prostatecancerinfolink.ning.com

   The new site seeks to build bridges and has already attracted Florida’s Deputy Surgeon General, a cancer epidemiologist, an oncologist, urologists, patients, wives, writers … it has a great tone and impressive substance. Please join us.

   For questions please mail me at ak [at] laprp [dot] com.

   Arnon Krongrad, MD
   Co-Founder, The New Prostate Cancer InfoLink
5. Anup Dahiya says:

   April 10, 2008 at 11:09 am

   I’d like to know how much of the taxpayer’s money was used to commission this painting (and all others). Seems like a great way to spend my hard-earned money.
6. S. Shai Gold says:

   April 15, 2008 at 7:13 am

   Mike,
   I would like to hear your position mandating Prostate Cancer Screening as part of a “Save Our men” health initiative. Let’s take a cue from Israel where the Prime Minister asked ALL male members of the Knesset (Parliament)to undergo prostate cancer screening. Let’s see HHS go on record requesting same from the house and senate at the State and Federal level to take a leadership role and do same for Father’s Day!

   We at the Krongrad Institute for Prostate Surgery, support education through not for profit tools such as The Prostate Cancer Mission (www.pcmission.org) and http://prostatecancerinfolink.net

   Let’s take PC detection out of the closet!
7. Anonymous says:

   April 15, 2008 at 11:50 am

   Re: Painting of Tommy Thompson.
   I can think of many things that are a greater waste of taxpayer dollars.We could have hundreds of paintings for the price of one smart bomb. Besides, Tommy is a great guy!!