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1993.07.19 :  Appointment -- Lawrence H. Thompson 

Contact:  Phil Gambino  (202) 690-8359
                        (410) 965-8904
July 19, 1993

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala announced today the appointment of
Lawrence H. Thompson, 49, former assistant comptroller general for human
resource programs at the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), as principal
deputy commissioner for the Social Security Administration.
     At the GAO--a nonpartisan, legislative branch agency which conducts
audits and evaluations of federal programs--Thompson was responsible for
directing reviews and studies involving health, education, training, pension
and welfare issues.  In addition, he was responsible for providing support to
the Congress in overseeing the operations of many federal agencies including
the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes SSA.
     "Lawrence Thompson is regarded by his colleagues in and out of the
federal government as one of the foremost experts on the Social security
program," Secretary Shalala said.  "His extensive background and wealth of
experience related-to the Social security program will be an important asset
to the Department of Health and Human Services."
     Before joining GAO in 1983 as its chief economist, Thompson was quite
familiar with SSA, having served there from 1979 to 1983.  During that time,
Thompson held several high-ranking positions, including associate commissioner
for policy, the highest ranking civil servant on the program policy side of
SSA.  From 1974 to 1979, Thompson served at HHS in increasingly responsible
positions including the post of executive director of the 1978 Advisory
Council on Social Security.
     Trained in business administration and economics, Thompson received his
undergraduate degree at Iowa State University and his master's degree in
business administration from the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania.  In 1971, he received a Ph.D. in economics from the University
of Michigan.
     The Social Security Administration is responsible for administering the
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) programs, as well as the
means-tested Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for the aged, blind,
and disabled.  Between the two cash benefit programs, SSA makes monthly
payments to more than 45 million men, women and children totaling over $325
billion-nearly one-fourth of the U.S. federal budget.
     Thompson will serve as the acting commissioner of Social Security until
President Clinton's nominee for commissioner is confirmed by the Senate and
subsequently sworn-in.