Wisconsin History Day By Day


Related Web Sites:
Tommy Thompson (Wikipedia)

Tommy Thompson and the Conservative Revolution

Governor Tommy G. Thompson


Read More About It

Wisconsin State Journal, "Portrait in Power"

Wisconsin State Journal, "Governor's legacy built on solid ground"


Vocabulary:

degree
term
state Assembly


Interesting Fact:

Thompson was the second consecutive person with Wisconsin ties to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, following Donna Shalala.


Study Questions:

  • What were the major issues involving the Thompson administration while he was governor?
  • During the time Thompson was governor of Wisconsin, what was his wife's job?
  • Who were the democrats that Thompson defeated during the elections for governor?

  • U.S. historical events that occurred on November 19:

    1863: Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg address
    1919: The U.S. Senate rejects the Versailles Treaty
    1969: Apollo 12 lands on the moon



    November 19

    Wisconsin's Governors

    Tommy Thompson, the 42nd governor of Wisconsin, was born on November 19, 1941 in Elroy. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1963 Thompson entered law school, receiving his degree in 1966. That same year, Thompson was elected to the state Assembly where he remained until 1986 when he was elected governor. He became Wisconsin's longest-serving governor during his third term in office, surpassing Gov. Jeremiah Rusk who served from 1882 until 1889. Thompson left the governor's office in February 2001 when he was appointed the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by President George W. Bush.


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