Health secretary Thompson steps down
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 Kerik will likely replace Ridge.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced his resignation on Friday, the latest departure from President Bush's Cabinet, according to an administration official.
Thompson said he submitted his resignation to the president Friday morning. (Full text)
He said that the decision was not an easy one and that his job had been both challenging and rewarding.
"I am proud of the people and the work of America's department of compassion. This department really does a tremendous job. It impacts every man woman and child every single day," Thompson said.
During his tenure, Thompson has led the department through the discovery of the first U.S. case of mad cow disease; the lethal spread of anthrax-laced letters and this year's shortage of the flu vaccine.
Prior to becoming the Health and Human Services secretary, Thompson served as the governor of Wisconsin where he was praised in conservative circles as a pioneer in welfare-to-work programs.
The Bush administration has been busy in the weeks since the election, which also have seen the resignations of Attorney General John Ashcroft, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Commerce Secretary Don Evans, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.
And this week, John Danforth, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, announced he will leave his post in January after less than seven months on the job. (Full story)
So far, Bush has tapped five replacements. He nominated White House counsel Alberto Gonzales to succeed Ashcroft; national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to take over at the State Department; former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik to replace Ridge; domestic policy adviser Margaret Spellings to replace Paige; and Carlos Gutierrez to be the next commerce secretary.
On Thursday, Bush nominated Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns to be the new secretary of agriculture. (Full story)
