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| name = Thomas J. Donohue
| name = Thomas J. Donohue
| image = Tom J. Donohue at the 2023 US-Canada Summit (52806439502) (cropped).jpg
| image = Tom J. Donohue at the 2023 US-Canada Summit (52806439502) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Donohue in April 2023
| caption = Donohue in 2023
| birth_date = {{birth year|1938}}
| birth_name = Thomas Joseph Donohue
| birth_date = {{birth date|1938|8|12}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2024|10|14|86}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|10|14|1938|8|12}}
| death_place = [[Virginia]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Arlington, Virginia]], U.S.
| education = [[St. John's University (New York)|St. John's University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Adelphi University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])
| education = [[St. John's University (New York)|St. John's University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Adelphi University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])
| occupation = Business executive
| occupation = Business executive
| title = President and CEO of the [[United States Chamber of Commerce|U.S. Chamber of Commerce]] (1997–2021)
| title = President and CEO of [[United States Chamber of Commerce|U.S. Chamber of Commerce]]
| predecessor = Richard L. Lesher
| successor = [[Suzanne P. Clark]]
| term = 1997–2019 (as President)<br>1997–2021 (as CEO)
| spouse = {{marriage|Elizabeth Schulz|1963|2017|end=died}}
| children = 3
}}
}}


'''Thomas J. Donohue Sr.''' (1938 – October 14, 2024) was an American business executive. He served as the President and CEO of the [[United States Chamber of Commerce]] located in [[Washington, D.C.]] from 1997 to 2021.<ref name="Thomas J. Donohue">{{Cite web|date=December 8, 2013|title=Thomas J. Donohue|url=https://www.uschamber.com/thomas-j-donohue|access-date=March 12, 2021|website=U.S. Chamber of Commerce|language=en}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes2009>Broder JM. (2009). [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/business/energy-environment/19CHAMBER.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all Storm Over the Chamber]. ''New York Times''.</ref> During his leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Donohue established the U.S. Chamber [[Institute for Legal Reform]] and was president of the National Chamber Foundation.<ref name=hudson/><ref name=WTO/> Before his leadership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Donohue was President and CEO of the [[American Trucking Association]].<ref name="monthly" />
'''Thomas Joseph Donohue Sr.''' (August 12, 1938 – October 14, 2024) was an American business executive. He served as the President and CEO of the [[United States Chamber of Commerce]] located in [[Washington, D.C.]] from 1997 to 2021.<ref name="Thomas J. Donohue">{{Cite web|date=December 8, 2013|title=Thomas J. Donohue|url=https://www.uschamber.com/thomas-j-donohue|access-date=March 12, 2021|website=U.S. Chamber of Commerce|language=en}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes2009>Broder JM. (2009). [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/business/energy-environment/19CHAMBER.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all Storm Over the Chamber]. ''New York Times''.</ref> During his leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Donohue established the U.S. Chamber [[Institute for Legal Reform]] and was president of the National Chamber Foundation.<ref name=hudson/><ref name=WTO/> Before his leadership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Donohue was President and CEO of the [[American Trucking Association]].<ref name="monthly" />


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Born in Brooklyn to a production manager at the [[American Can Company]], Donohue was raised on Long Island and studied at [[St. John's University (New York)|St. John's University]], before pursuing a [[Master of Arts]] in Business at [[Adelphi University]] (1965).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.adelphi.edu/giving/news/20080220.php|title = Adelphi University's Eighth Annual President's Gala Honors Outstanding Executives and Alumni|date = February 20, 2008|accessdate = March 9, 2015|website = University Advancement News|publisher = Adelphi University|last = |first = }}</ref> He worked his way through college as a union truck driver before working as a fundraiser for the [[Boy Scouts of America]] and the National Center for Disability Services.<ref name="wapo"/><ref name="monthly">James Verini, "[http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2010/1007.verini.html Show Him the Money] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230175601/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2010/1007.verini.html |date=2010-12-30 }}", ''Washington Monthly'', July/August 2010</ref><ref name="newsday">James Toedtman, "[https://archive.today/20130201035903/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/25156224.html?dids=25156224:25156224&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+04,+1998&author=By+James+Toedtman.+WASHINGTON+BUREAU+CHIEF&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=COVER+STORY+/+Full-Court+Press+for+Business&pqatl=google Full-Court Press for Business]", ''Newsday'', January 4, 1998</ref>
Thomas Joseph Donohue was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 12, 1938 to a production manager at the [[American Can Company]], and was of [[Irish Americans|Irish descent]].<ref name=wpobit/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uschamber.com/about/statement-on-the-passing-of-former-u-s-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-thomas-j-donohue|title=Statement on the Passing of Former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue|date=October 14, 2024|website=U.S. Chamber of Commerce}}</ref> He was raised in [[Rockville Centre, New York|Rockville Centre]] on [[Long Island]].<ref name=stjohns/><ref name=wpobit/> He studied at [[St. John's University (New York)|St. John's University]], before pursuing a [[Master of Arts]] in Business at [[Adelphi University]] (1965).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.adelphi.edu/giving/news/20080220.php|title = Adelphi University's Eighth Annual President's Gala Honors Outstanding Executives and Alumni|date = February 20, 2008|accessdate = March 9, 2015|website = University Advancement News|publisher = Adelphi University|last = |first = }}</ref> He worked his way through college as a union truck driver before working as a fundraiser for the [[Boy Scouts of America]] and the National Center for Disability Services.<ref name="wapo"/><ref name="monthly">James Verini, "[http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2010/1007.verini.html Show Him the Money] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230175601/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2010/1007.verini.html |date=2010-12-30 }}", ''Washington Monthly'', July/August 2010</ref><ref name="newsday">James Toedtman, "[https://archive.today/20130201035903/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/25156224.html?dids=25156224:25156224&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+04,+1998&author=By+James+Toedtman.+WASHINGTON+BUREAU+CHIEF&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=COVER+STORY+/+Full-Court+Press+for+Business&pqatl=google Full-Court Press for Business]", ''Newsday'', January 4, 1998</ref>


==Career==
== Career ==
[[File:Amo Houghton and Tom Donohue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Donohue with Congressman [[Amo Houghton]] in 2004]]
[[File:Amo Houghton and Tom Donohue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Donohue with Congressman [[Amo Houghton]] in 2004]]
Donohue worked as an administrator at [[Fairfield University]] and as a trustee at [[Marymount University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/thomas-j-donohue/|title=Thomas J. Donohue|accessdate=October 14, 2024|publisher=Horatio Alger.org}}</ref> From 1969 to 1976 he was the US Official Deputy Assistant Postmaster General, where he helped "convert" the Post Office from a government department into the quasi-private U.S. Postal Service.<ref name="newsday"/>
Donohue worked as an administrator at [[Fairfield University]] and as a trustee at [[Marymount University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/thomas-j-donohue/|title=Thomas J. Donohue|accessdate=October 14, 2024|publisher=Horatio Alger.org}}</ref> From 1969 to 1976 he was the US Official Deputy Assistant Postmaster General, where he helped "convert" the Post Office from a government department into the quasi-private U.S. Postal Service.<ref name="newsday"/>
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In 1984, he left to become President and CEO of the [[American Trucking Association]], "quickly turning what was a moribund also-ran into a Washington powerhouse" according to the ''[[Washington Monthly]]''.<ref name="monthly" /> In 1997 he returned to the Chamber as its President.<ref name=axiosobit/>
In 1984, he left to become President and CEO of the [[American Trucking Association]], "quickly turning what was a moribund also-ran into a Washington powerhouse" according to the ''[[Washington Monthly]]''.<ref name="monthly" /> In 1997 he returned to the Chamber as its President.<ref name=axiosobit/>


Donohue was an Emeritus Hudson Institute Trustee and has served on the board of directors of [[Qwest]], Sunrise Assisted Living Corporation, [[Union Pacific]], and [[XM]].<ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=134042142&capId=4277119 "Thomas J. Donohue Executive Profile"]</ref><ref name=hudson>{{cite web|url=https://www.hudson.org/experts/680-thomas-j-donohue|title=Thomas J. Donohue|accessdate=October 14, 2024|publisher=Hudson.org}}</ref>
Donohue was an Emeritus Hudson Institute Trustee and has served on the board of directors of [[Qwest]], Sunrise Assisted Living Corporation, [[Union Pacific]], and [[XM]].<ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=134042142&capId=4277119 "Thomas J. Donohue Executive Profile"]</ref><ref name=hudson>{{cite web|url=https://www.hudson.org/experts/680-thomas-j-donohue|title=Thomas J. Donohue|date=October 2, 2024 |accessdate=October 14, 2024|publisher=Hudson.org}}</ref>

⚫
In July 2022, Donohue helped found a group of U.S. business and policy leaders who share the goal of constructively engaging with China in order to improve U.S.-China relations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2022 |title=We Want to Rebuild U.S. Relations With China – WSJ |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-want-to-rebuild-us-china-relations-trade-business-economic-growth-antony-blinken-foreign-policy-11657141306 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707140754/https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-want-to-rebuild-us-china-relations-trade-business-economic-growth-antony-blinken-foreign-policy-11657141306 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== Chamber of Commerce ===
=== Chamber of Commerce ===
[[File:Navy Admiral Mike Mullen talks with Thomas J. Donohue during the kickoff of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Donohue (left) with Navy Admiral [[Michael Mullen]] in June 2011.]]
[[File:Navy Admiral Mike Mullen talks with Thomas J. Donohue during the kickoff of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Donohue (left) with Navy Admiral [[Michael Mullen]] in June 2011.]]
Under Lesher, the Chamber had endorsed the [[Clinton health care plan of 1993]], angering many conservatives.<ref name="toplobby">{{cite web| title = Top lobbyists in the US | url = http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/top.php?showYear=a&indexType=s | access-date = December 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
In 1997, Donohue assumed the role of President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, replacing Richard Lesher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uschamber.com/timeline/|title=USCC Timeline|accessdate=October 15, 2024|publisher=USChamber.com}}</ref> Under Lesher, the Chamber had endorsed the [[Clinton health care plan of 1993]], angering many conservatives.<ref name="toplobby">{{cite web| title = Top lobbyists in the US | url = http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/top.php?showYear=a&indexType=s | access-date = December 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28471.html
|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28471.html
|title=U.S. Chamber: $34.7 million in lobbying
|title=U.S. Chamber: $34.7 million in lobbying
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Donohue established the U.S. Chamber [[Institute for Legal Reform]], which has won significant cases in the courts, at the state and federal levels, and in elections for state attorneys general and Supreme Court judges.<ref name=hudson/> Donohue was president of the National Chamber Foundation as well as the Center for International Private Enterprise, a core institution of the [[National Endowment for Democracy]].<ref name=hudson/><ref name=WTO>{{cite web|url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/dg_e/dft_panel_e/thomas_donohue_bio_e.htm|title=Biography: Thomas J. DONOHUE|publisher=WTO.org|accessdate=October 14, 2024}}</ref>
Donohue established the U.S. Chamber [[Institute for Legal Reform]], which has won significant cases in the courts, at the state and federal levels, and in elections for state attorneys general and Supreme Court judges.<ref name=hudson/> Donohue was president of the National Chamber Foundation as well as the Center for International Private Enterprise, a core institution of the [[National Endowment for Democracy]].<ref name=hudson/><ref name=WTO>{{cite web|url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/dg_e/dft_panel_e/thomas_donohue_bio_e.htm|title=Biography: Thomas J. DONOHUE|publisher=WTO.org|accessdate=October 14, 2024}}</ref>


In 2014, Donohue said that if the Republicans did not change their immigration policies then they "shouldn't bother to run a candidate in 2016".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?319297-1/public-infrastructure |title=Public Infrastructure |date=May 12, 2014 |website=www.c-span.org |publisher=C-SPAN |accessdate=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
In 2014, Donohue said that if the Republicans did not change their immigration policies then they "shouldn't bother to run a candidate in 2016".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?319297-1/public-infrastructure |title=Public Infrastructure |date=May 12, 2014 |website=www.c-span.org |publisher=C-SPAN |accessdate=May 12, 2014}}</ref> During his final years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, he often clashed with President [[Donald Trump]] over his administration's trade and immigration policies.<ref name=colobit>{{cite web|url=https://gazette.com/news/wex/former-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-dead-at-86/article_9e2e43cc-556f-5b7a-828a-5a7aff555cc9.html|title=Former Chamber of Commerce CEO dead at 86|publisher=The Denver Gazette|accessdate=October 14, 2024|date=October 14, 2024}}</ref>


Donohue resigned as president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2019.<ref name=colobit/><ref name=WRBL/> He would then retire as CEO in 2021 with [[Suzanne P. Clark]] succeeding him as both CEO and President.<ref name=WRBL>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrbl.com/news/national/tom-donohue-former-longtime-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-dies/|title=Tom Donohue, former longtime Chamber of Commerce CEO, dies|publisher=WRBL|accessdate=October 14, 2024|date=October 14, 2024}}</ref>
⚫
== Later life and death ==
⚫
In July 2022, Donohue helped found a group of U.S. business and policy leaders who share the goal of constructively engaging with China in order to improve U.S.-China relations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2022 |title=We Want to Rebuild U.S. Relations With China - WSJ |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-want-to-rebuild-us-china-relations-trade-business-economic-growth-antony-blinken-foreign-policy-11657141306 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707140754/https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-want-to-rebuild-us-china-relations-trade-business-economic-growth-antony-blinken-foreign-policy-11657141306 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


⚫
== Personal life and death ==
⚫
Donohue died on October 14, 2024, at his home in [[Northern Virginia]] from a short illness at the age of 86.<ref name=hillobit>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/lobbying/4932383-tom-donohue-former-longtime-chamber-ceo-dies/|title=Tom Donohue, former longtime Chamber CEO, dies|publisher=The Hill|date=October 14, 2024|accessdate=October 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name=axiosobit>{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/10/14/tom-donohue-chamber-commerce-dies-86|title=Tom Donohue, titan of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, dies at 86|publisher=Axios|accessdate=October 14, 2024|date=October 14, 2024}}</ref>
In 1963, Donohue married Elizabeth Schulz in [[Bayside, New York]].<ref name=liz/> They met while attending St. John's together.<ref name=liz/> They had three sons; Thomas Jr., Keith and John.<ref name=stjohns>{{cite web|url=https://www.stjohns.edu/news-media/news/2024-10-15/memoriam-retired-us-chamber-commerce-ceo-thomas-j-donohue-63c-85hon|title=In Memoriam: Retired US Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue '63C, '85HON|date=October 2, 2024 |publisher=St. John's.edu|accessdate=October 15, 2024}}</ref><ref name=liz/> Schulz died of cancer in July 2017.<ref name=liz>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/elizabeth-donohue-obituary?id=2269764|title=ELIZABETH DONOHUE Obituary|publisher=Legacy|accessdate=October 15, 2024|date=July 14, 2017}}</ref>

⚫
Donohue died from congestive [[Heart failure|heart failure]] at his home in [[Arlington, Virginia]] on October 14, 2024, at the age of 86.<ref name=hillobit>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/lobbying/4932383-tom-donohue-former-longtime-chamber-ceo-dies/|title=Tom Donohue, former longtime Chamber CEO, dies|work=The Hill|date=October 14, 2024|accessdate=October 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name=axiosobit>{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/10/14/tom-donohue-chamber-commerce-dies-86|title=Tom Donohue, titan of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, dies at 86|publisher=Axios|accessdate=October 14, 2024|date=October 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name=wpobit>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/10/15/thomas-donohue-chamber-commerce-dies/|title=Thomas Donohue, who built Chamber of Commerce lobbying clout, dies at 86|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 15, 2024|accessdate=October 15, 2024}}</ref>


== Honors ==
== Honors ==
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* {{Twitter}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{C-SPAN|5408}}
* {{C-SPAN|5408}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Donohue, Tom J.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donohue, Tom J.}}
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[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Deaths from congestive heart failure]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:St. John's University (New York City) alumni]]
[[Category:Adelphi University alumni]]

Latest revision as of 10:11, 18 October 2024

For persons of a similar name, see Thomas Donahue (disambiguation).

Thomas J. Donohue
Donohue in 2023
Born
Thomas Joseph Donohue

(1938-08-12)August 12, 1938
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 14, 2024(2024-10-14) (aged 86)
Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
EducationSt. John's University (BA)
Adelphi University (MA)
OccupationBusiness executive
TitlePresident and CEO of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Term1997–2019 (as President)
1997–2021 (as CEO)
PredecessorRichard L. Lesher
SuccessorSuzanne P. Clark
Spouse
Elizabeth Schulz
​
​
(m. 1963; died 2017)​
Children3

Thomas Joseph Donohue Sr. (August 12, 1938 – October 14, 2024) was an American business executive. He served as the President and CEO of the United States Chamber of Commerce located in Washington, D.C. from 1997 to 2021.[1][2] During his leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Donohue established the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform and was president of the National Chamber Foundation.[3][4] Before his leadership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Donohue was President and CEO of the American Trucking Association.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Thomas Joseph Donohue was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 12, 1938 to a production manager at the American Can Company, and was of Irish descent.[6][7] He was raised in Rockville Centre on Long Island.[8][6] He studied at St. John's University, before pursuing a Master of Arts in Business at Adelphi University (1965).[9] He worked his way through college as a union truck driver before working as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America and the National Center for Disability Services.[10][5][11]

Career

[edit]
Donohue with Congressman Amo Houghton in 2004

Donohue worked as an administrator at Fairfield University and as a trustee at Marymount University.[12] From 1969 to 1976 he was the US Official Deputy Assistant Postmaster General, where he helped "convert" the Post Office from a government department into the quasi-private U.S. Postal Service.[11]

In 1976 he joined the US Chamber of Commerce development department under its president, Richard Lesher. By 1978, his role included running "a grassroots political apparatus" and "relations with the White House and Congress".[10][5]

In 1984, he left to become President and CEO of the American Trucking Association, "quickly turning what was a moribund also-ran into a Washington powerhouse" according to the Washington Monthly.[5] In 1997 he returned to the Chamber as its President.[13]

Donohue was an Emeritus Hudson Institute Trustee and has served on the board of directors of Qwest, Sunrise Assisted Living Corporation, Union Pacific, and XM.[14][3]

In July 2022, Donohue helped found a group of U.S. business and policy leaders who share the goal of constructively engaging with China in order to improve U.S.-China relations.[15]

Chamber of Commerce

[edit]
Donohue (left) with Navy Admiral Michael Mullen in June 2011.

In 1997, Donohue assumed the role of President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, replacing Richard Lesher.[16] Under Lesher, the Chamber had endorsed the Clinton health care plan of 1993, angering many conservatives.[17][18] Congressman John Boehner led a campaign pushing companies to leave the Chamber over its support of the bill. When Donohue took over, the Chamber's power was considered to be at a low ebb.[5] The Washington Post wrote, "Nobody has mastered this new Washington game better than Thomas J. Donohue."[10] According to The Wall Street Journal, "[Donohue's] most striking innovation has been to offer individual companies and industries the chance to use the chamber as a means of anonymously pursuing their own political ends."[19]

Donohue established the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, which has won significant cases in the courts, at the state and federal levels, and in elections for state attorneys general and Supreme Court judges.[3] Donohue was president of the National Chamber Foundation as well as the Center for International Private Enterprise, a core institution of the National Endowment for Democracy.[3][4]

In 2014, Donohue said that if the Republicans did not change their immigration policies then they "shouldn't bother to run a candidate in 2016".[20] During his final years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, he often clashed with President Donald Trump over his administration's trade and immigration policies.[21]

Donohue resigned as president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2019.[21][22] He would then retire as CEO in 2021 with Suzanne P. Clark succeeding him as both CEO and President.[22]

Personal life and death

[edit]

In 1963, Donohue married Elizabeth Schulz in Bayside, New York.[23] They met while attending St. John's together.[23] They had three sons; Thomas Jr., Keith and John.[8][23] Schulz died of cancer in July 2017.[23]

Donohue died from congestive heart failure at his home in Arlington, Virginia on October 14, 2024, at the age of 86.[24][13][6]

Honors

[edit]

Donohue was the 2013 recipient of the Horatio Alger Award.[25] In April 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boy Scouts of America's National Capital Area Council.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Thomas J. Donohue". U.S. Chamber of Commerce. December 8, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Broder JM. (2009). Storm Over the Chamber. New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c d "Thomas J. Donohue". Hudson.org. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Biography: Thomas J. DONOHUE". WTO.org. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e James Verini, "Show Him the Money Archived 2010-12-30 at the Wayback Machine", Washington Monthly, July/August 2010
  6. ^ a b c "Thomas Donohue, who built Chamber of Commerce lobbying clout, dies at 86". The Washington Post. October 15, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "Statement on the Passing of Former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue". U.S. Chamber of Commerce. October 14, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "In Memoriam: Retired US Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue '63C, '85HON". St. John's.edu. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
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