Council of State Governments Mourns Loss of Senator Thompson

On Saturday, January 29, 2006, the Consensus Project lost its founding co-chair and visionary leader, State Senator Robert Thompson (PA). The powerful chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee in Pennsylvania, Thompson was 68.

His commitment to people with mental illness and the people in the criminal justice and mental health system who worked to serve this population was tireless. He crisscrossed the country, speaking at events large and small, testifying before Congress, and listening to the men and women working on the front lines of the criminal justice and mental health systems.

Despite all of his responsibilities and his recent health problems, he was always accessible to CSG staff: he was quick to respond to an email or phone call, or to volunteer his assistance overcoming new obstacles facing the Consensus Project.

His kindness was nothing short of extraordinary, and his sense of humor made him a joy to serve. His life-long dedication to public service and his determination to improve the lives of the underserved inspired everyone at the Council of State Governments and those touched by the Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project.

He will be missed terribly.