--- title: HR 889. Johnson, Wyatt Thomas, Jr.; extraordinary contributions to journalism, civic life, and public service in Georgia and across the nation; efforts to champion mental health awareness, strengthen democratic institutions; promote citizenship; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr889 cite_as: HR 889, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr889 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr889.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr889/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71948 date: 2025-03-31 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr888.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr890.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr889.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 889 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-31 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Scott Holcomb text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR889/2025 upstream_id: 2017606 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia House resolution - journalism - mental health awareness - civic honors --- # HR 889. Johnson, Wyatt Thomas, Jr.; extraordinary contributions to journalism, civic life, and public service in Georgia and across the nation; efforts to champion mental health awareness, strengthen democratic institutions; promote citizenship; commend ## Text 25 LC 129 0461 House Resolution 889 By: Representative Holcomb of the 101st A RESOLUTION Honoring and commending the life, leadership, and legacy of Wyatt Thomas Johnson Jr. for1 his extraordinary contributions to journalism, civic life, and public service in Georgia and2 across the nation as well as for his resolute efforts to champi on mental health awareness,3 strengthen democratic institutions, and promote informed citizenship; and for other purposes.4 WHEREAS, Tom Johnson, born Wyatt Thomas Johnson Jr. on Septembe r 30, 1941, in5 Macon, Georgia, has led a life dedicated to truth, service, and compassion, rising from6 humble beginnings to become one of the most respected figures in American journalism and7 a transformative leader in both public and private spheres; and8 WHEREAS, Johnson's career began as a young reporter at The Macon Telegraph , an9 opportunity made possible by the generosity and mentorship of publisher Peyton Anderson,10 who recognized Johnson's early dedication, talent, and integrity; and11 WHEREAS, with the support of scholarships from Anderson, Johnson earned a journalism12 degree from the University of Georgia and later an MBA from Har vard Business School,13 achievements that laid the foundation for a remarkable professional life defined by purpose14 and principle; and15 H. R. 889 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0461 WHEREAS, Johnson served in the White House under President Lynd on B. Johnson as a16 Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary, during one of the most complex and17 consequential chapters in American history; and 18 WHEREAS, his closeness to President Johnson and his presence at pivotal historical19 moments deepened his lifelong commitment to public service, civ il rights, and effective20 governance; and21 WHEREAS, transitioning from public service to journalism, Johnson went on to serve with22 distinction as publisher and CEO of The Dallas Times Herald and later as publisher and23 president of the Los Angeles Times, where under his stewardship the paper won six Pulitzer24 Prizes and reached its highest levels of readership, quality, and impact; and25 WHEREAS, in 1990, Johnson was recruited by CNN founder Ted Turner to lead the Cable26 News Network as President during a critical era of global change, including the Gulf War and27 the emergence of 24-hour news broadcasting; and28 WHEREAS, under his visionary leadership, CNN expanded to a worldwide audience,29 launched CNN International and CNN.com, and became a global standard-bearer for30 real-time, credible journalism; and31 WHEREAS, throughout his media career, Johnson was a steady voice of calm, accuracy, and32 ethical responsibility, ensuring that news was not only fast but fact-based, and that journalists33 upheld the highest standards of public trust and democratic accountability; and34 WHEREAS, Johnson has served on a multitude of boards and founda tions dedicated to35 education, global development, civic leadership, and journalism excellence, including the36 H. R. 889 - 2 - 25 LC 129 0461 Rockefeller Foundation, the Knight Foundation, the Mayo Clinic Foundation, and the37 Peabody Awards Board of Jurors, as well as leadership roles wit h the Lyndon Baines38 Johnson Foundation, the Trilateral Commission, and the Council on Foreign Relations; and39 WHEREAS, despite personal achievements, Johnson has never wavered in his advocacy for40 those often overlooked, including through his courageous public dialogue around his own41 battle with clinical depression; and42 WHEREAS, in sharing his experience, Johnson broke down stigma, empowered countless43 others to seek help, and became a national advocate for improving access to mental health44 resources; and45 WHEREAS, Johnson has returned time and again to his Georgia roots, investing in his home46 state through educational programs, mentoring, and civic initiatives aimed at building future47 generations of ethical leaders and responsible journalists; and48 WHEREAS, his legacy reflects not only professional excellence b ut also humility,49 perseverance, public-mindedness, and compassion, making him an enduring role model for50 Georgians and Americans alike.51 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that52 the members of this body honor and commend Wyatt Thomas Johnson J r . f o r h i s53 extraordinary contributions to journalism, democracy, mental health awareness, and public54 service, and extend their deepest appreciation for his tireless efforts to build a more informed,55 compassionate, and just society.56 H. R. 889 - 3 - 25 LC 129 0461 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized57 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available to Tom Johnson and his58 family.59 H. R. 889 - 4 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution honors Wyatt Thomas Johnson Jr., a Macon-born journalist and former CNN president, for his career in media and public service and his advocacy for mental health awareness. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives commends Wyatt Thomas Johnson Jr., known as Tom Johnson, for his career in journalism and public service. It recounts his rise from a young reporter at The Macon Telegraph to Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson, then to leadership roles at The Dallas Times Herald, the Los Angeles Times, and eventually as president of CNN, where he oversaw its expansion into a global news network. The resolution also highlights his openness about his own struggle with clinical depression and his advocacy for mental health awareness, as well as his continued involvement in Georgia through educational and civic programs. It formally resolves that the House honors and commends him, and directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Johnson and his family. ### What it does - Formally honors and commends Wyatt Thomas Johnson Jr. for his career in journalism, public service, and mental health advocacy. - Recites his biography, including his roles at The Macon Telegraph, the White House, The Dallas Times Herald, the Los Angeles Times, and CNN. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for Johnson and his family. - Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia law, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than binding legislation. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors Wyatt Thomas Johnson Jr. and his family, who will receive official copies. It has no legal effect on other Georgians, agencies, or businesses since it is a ceremonial statement by the House. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal force and changes no Georgia law; its practical effect is limited to a formal, public expression of recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives toward Johnson for his career and advocacy, along with a keepsake copy for his family. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses detail Johnson's biography, from his start at The Macon Telegraph through his presidency of CNN and his six Pulitzer Prizes at the Los Angeles Times. - The resolved clause has the House of Representatives honor and commend Johnson for his contributions to journalism, democracy, mental health awareness, and public service. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to Johnson and his family. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-31) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-31) - Sponsors: Scott Holcomb - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71948 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr889.md?full=1