In memory of John Douglas Thornton.

89(R) SR 479 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 479

In Memory

of

John Douglas Thornton

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and

commemorates the life of John Douglas Thornton, a widely

respected leader in nonprofit journalism, who died

March 29, 2025, at the age of 59; and

WHEREAS, Born in Wichita on April 9, 1965, John was a

bright young learner who went on to attend Trinity University and

to earn a master's degree in business administration from

Stanford University; and

WHEREAS, John began his career by working at McKinsey and

Company and earned esteem overseeing investments in software

startups as a managing partner at Austin Ventures; inspired to

help his company begin investing in newspapers and to address the

decline of the media and news industry, John cofounded the
Texas

Tribune
in 2008 with a mission to establish a fair, honest, and

reliable nonprofit news outlet devoted to engaging Texans and

empowering them to be active participants in their democracy; and

WHEREAS, A transformative success, the
Texas Tribune

quickly became a model for excellence in American nonprofit

journalism; John helped to guide many similar fledgling news

publications across the nation, and in 2018, he cofounded the

American Journalism Project, an organization that has since

directed the establishment of and provided funding for 50

nonprofit news rooms in 36 states; and

WHEREAS, John was a trusted mentor to numerous industry

professionals, and he was admired by his colleagues, friends, and

loved ones for his sharp wit, his boundless generosity, and his

unwavering commitment to promoting a thriving democracy; he will

be greatly missed by countless people, most of all by his

cherished wife, Erin Thornton, and his stepsons, Wyatt and Wade

Driscoll; and

WHEREAS, John Thornton was an exemplary citizen and a

visionary leader in nonprofit journalism whose contributions to

the field have made a positive and lasting impact across the Lone

Star State and beyond; his legacy will continue to benefit Texans

for generations to come, and he leaves behind memories that will

long be treasured by all who were privileged to share in his life;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th

Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved

family of John Douglas Thornton; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas

Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in

memory of John Thornton.

Eckhardt

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the

above Resolution was adopted by

the Senate on May 5, 2025, by a

rising vote.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate