SR479 - In memory of John Douglas Thornton.

        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