FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       Contact:    Peggy Hamill, State Director
December 29, 2000                       Day:  (262) 796-1111
                                        Evening:  (414) 416-0489


THOMPSON'S HHS APPOINTMENT DRAWS TEPID RESPONSE 
FROM PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN
PLW offers McCallum advice on winning pro-life support 

President-Elect George W. Bush's selection of Wisconsin Governor Tommy 
Thompson as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
drew a tepid response today from Pro-Life Wisconsin.  The organization
also offered its congratulations to Lieutenant Governor Scott McCallum as
he prepares to move into the Governor's Office.

"We're concerned about Bush's selection of Thompson," said Peggy Hamill, 
state director of the statewide educational and legislative organization 
representing more than 15,000 Wisconsin families.  "While the
President-Elect could have chosen someone much worse, we've never viewed
Tommy as a strong pro-lifer."

Hamill added, "Thompson, to his credit, has signed some important pieces
of pro-life legislation during his tenure as Governor," but she still has
major concerns.  State funding of so-called "family planning" organizations
that channel funds and women into abortion clinics has drastically increased
under Thompson.  Hamill also said, "We're especially concerned about
Thompson's position on the issue of human embryo research, since he will be
overseeing the National Institutes of Health in his new position.  As
Governor, he strongly promoted such research with the intent to make
Wisconsin a leader in this field.  Consequently, PLW fears that his
enthusiastic support of new advances in biotechnology will overshadow
concern for protecting preborn babies at all stages of development."

Hamill said pro-abortion forces have attempted to repeal the 1994 federal
law banning federal funding of human embryo research.  She worries that
Thompson won't defend the existing law from attack.

Hamill said her organization looks forward to working with soon-to-be 
Governor McCallum on pro-life issues.  "This is new ground for us, and
we're hopeful that a McCallum administration will be more friendly to
pro-life concerns."

She did say that Pro-Life Wisconsin will forcefully oppose any attempt
to choose a pro-abortionist to fill the Lieutenant Governor position. 
"Choosing an abortion supporter for the number two post would not send
pro-life Wisconsinites a positive message," said Hamill.  "McCallum will
most likely face a tough primary in 2002 and pro-life votes will be
critical."

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