(Georgia Recorder) — The late former Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson was honored Wednesday by the Georgia Senate for his work as a senator and for turning around a dysfunctional labor department he inherited before he died in November following an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Republican Senate caucus leaders described Thompson as a former legislative colleague and friend who remained a passionate public servant throughout the stage IV cancer that took the life of the 59-year-old on Nov. 24. Thompson spent a decade in the Senate prior to becoming labor commissioner in 2023, where he is credited with using his years as a public official and experience running several businesses to improve a state agency that had struggled to process a surge of unemployment claims since the start of the pandemic.
A Senate resolution celebrating Thompson was presented during Wednesday’s floor session on the third day of the 40-day meeting of the state Legislature.
Sen. John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican, unveiled a large framed portrait of Thompson as his family looked on. The portrait will remain in the Senate for a couple of weeks before being permanently displayed inside the Department of Labor offices in downtown Atlanta.
“Bruce’s passion for problem solving inspired his successful run as Georgia’s 10th labor commissioner, and whereas his tenure at the Georgia Department of Labor was marked by a renewed focus on transparency. responsiveness and fiscal responsibility; values he championed with his trademark determination and integrity,” the resolution says.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who presides over the Senate, spoke of how much Thompson cherished his role as a father to his children Max and Faith, and his nearly 28-year marriage to his wife, Becky. Jones said Thompson remained steadfast in his commitment to his Christian faith while fighting for causes he believed to be right.
Thompson and Jones served together in the Senate from 2013 until they won their respective statewide elections in 2022.
“He was one of those foxhole guys that if he was with you on an issue, you didn’t ever have to worry about checking with him twice,” Jones said.
During his time in the Legislature, Thompson was a backer of controversial abortion restrictions that made it illegal to perform an abortion if there is a detectable heartbeat except for in limited circumstances such as a medical emergency.
In 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the state law banning most abortions after six weeks, often before most women are aware they are pregnant. The new law did not take effect until the summer of 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision ending the federal right to abortion.
Thompson introduced several other noteworthy bills, including the Dexter Mosely Act in 2021, which allowed homeschooled students in grades 6-12 to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities in their public school district.
Thompson also pushed legislation in 2022 that would have banned mail order abortion bills. However, the measure stalled in the Legislature.
In 2022, Thompson would turn his attention to public office outside of the state Capitol, as he ran as a Republican candidate who could transform the Department of Labor. After taking office in January 2023, his office would discover $105 million that should have been handed over to the state treasury.
Kemp will appoint a Labor Department commissioner to fill the the remaining term that expires at the end of 2026.
Kennedy said taking time during the first week of the new legislative session to pay respects to Thompson while his family offered a chance for lawmakers to show their gratitude for his service.
“It’s enjoyable to talk about a man of absolute integrity, of encouragement and who loved public service,” said Kennedy, who sponsored the resolution that was signed by more than three dozen senators. “He loved this chamber. He loved the Senate, and because he wanted to do more for the state of Georgia, is why he stepped up and ran for labor commissioner.”
