TRIBUTES TO LADY BIRD JOHNSON 

TRIBUTES TO LADY BIRD JOHNSON 

FIRST LADY

LADY BIRD JOHNSON 

1912–2007

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

IN THE

ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS

OF THE UNITED STATES


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LBJ Library photo by Elizabeth Shoumatoff 

Lady Bird Johnson 


37095.012
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2008

FIRST LADY

LADY BIRD JOHNSON 

1912–2007

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

IN THE

ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS

OF THE UNITED STATES

Senate Document 110–8 


eop#14.eps
(iii) 

ORDER FOR PRINTING OF TRIBUTES AND STATEMENTS 

FRIDAY, July 13, 2007 

Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 

a collection of statements made in tribute to the late First Lady of 

the United States, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, together with appropriate 

illustrations and other materials relating to her death be printed. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. 

Compiled under the direction 

of the 

Joint Committee on Printing 

(v) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

Biography ..................................................................................... vii 

Memorial Services: 

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center ............................... xxiii 

Riverbend Center ................................................................. xxxi 

Proceedings in the Senate: 

Tributes by Senators: 

Alexander, Lamar, of Tennessee ................................. 4 

Biden, Joseph R., Jr., of Delaware .............................. 15 

Durbin, Richard, of Illinois .......................................... 14 

Feinstein, Dianne, of California .................................. 9 

Hutchison, Kay Bailey, of Texas ................................. 7 

Klobuchar, Amy, of Minnesota .................................... 14 

McConnell, Mitch, of Kentucky ................................... 6 

Reed, Jack, of Rhode Island ......................................... 15 

Reid, Harry, of Nevada ................................................. 3 

Rockefeller, John D., IV, of West Virginia .................. 16 

Salazar, Ken, of Colorado ............................................. 5 

Webb, Jim, of Virginia .................................................. 11 

Proceedings in the House of Representatives: 

Tributes by Representatives: 

Barton, Joe, of Texas ................................................... 20, 31 

Boswell, Leonard L., of Iowa ........................................ 34 

Davis, Danny K., of Illinois ........................................ 24, 25 

Doggett, Lloyd, of Texas .............................................. 19, 28 

Duncan, John J., Jr., of Tennessee ............................ 25, 29 

Edwards, Chet, of Texas .............................................. 28 

Farr, Sam, of California ............................................... 34 

Green, Al, of Texas ....................................................... 21 

Green, Gene, of Texas .................................................. 20 

Hinojosa, Rube ́n, of Texas ............................................ 32 

Jackson-Lee, Sheila, of Texas ..................................... 35, 41 

Johnson, Eddie Bernice, of Texas ................................ 26 

Lampson, Nick, of Texas .............................................. 32 

Ortiz, Solomon P., of Texas .................................. 19, 20, 38 

Poe, Ted, of Texas ......................................................... 22 

Rangel, Charles B., of New York ................................ 39, 41 

Reyes, Silvestre, of Texas ............................................. 30 

vi Contents 

Rodriguez, Ciro D., of Texas ........................................ 29 

Udall, Tom, of New Mexico .......................................... 40 

(vii) 

B I O G R A P H Y 

Wife, mother, grandmother, conservationist, businesswoman, philanthropist, First Lady. LADY BIRD JOHNSON holds claim to all of 

those titles and more. 

All her life, Mrs. JOHNSON has brought beauty to her sprawling 

family, to the Texas hill country she loves, and to the Nation that 

loves her. 

She inspired the passage of the Beautification Act of 1965—a bill 

her husband called a ‘‘gift’’ to his wife—which cemented 

environmentalism as a top priority in the United States. Married 

for four decades to one of the most powerful men in the world, Mrs. 

JOHNSON juggled extraordinarily demanding jobs as her husband’s 

closest advisor as he rose from Congressman to Senator to Vice 

President to President and as mother to daughters Lynda Bird and 

Luci Baines. After her husband’s death, she spent the next three 

and a half decades solidifying all that she had laid in place during 

their marriage. 

Today, LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s legacy lives on in the millions of 

blooms planted in the Nation’s Capital, in the sweeping banks of 

wildflowers lining U.S. highways, and in the charm of Austin’s revitalized Town Lake. An equally lasting legacy is her extraordinary 

family—Lynda Johnson Robb and her husband Charles; Luci 

Baines Johnson and her husband Ian Turpin; 6 granddaughters 

and 1 grandson; and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Mrs. JOHNSON was born CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR in the East 

Texas town of Karnack on December 22, 1912. Her father, Thomas 

Jefferson Taylor, was owner of a general store. Her mother, Minnie 

Pattillo Taylor, died when CLAUDIA was 5 years old, leaving the little girl and her two older brothers, Tommy and Tony, in the care 

of their father and their Aunt Effie. Legend has it that a nursemaid said CLAUDIA was ‘‘as purty as a LADY BIRD’’; the sweet nickname suited her and stuck for life. 

Mrs. JOHNSON graduated from Marshall High School in 1928 and 

attended Saint Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls in Dallas from 

1928 to 1930. She then entered the University of Texas at Austin, 

graduating in 1933 with a bachelor of arts in history and in 1934, 

with a bachelor of journalism with honors. 

viii Biography 

She met the tall, ambitious man whom she would marry when 

he was a congressional secretary visiting Austin on official business. Lyndon Baines Johnson courted LADY BIRD TAYLOR with all 

the single-minded energy he would later bring to elected office. 

They were engaged just 7 weeks after their first date and married 

in November 1934. Mrs. JOHNSON recalled that ‘‘sometimes Lyndon 

simply [took] your breath away.’’ Her life with Lyndon Johnson was 

one of such achievement in politics, business and philanthropy it 

left those around them breathless, too. 

Mrs. JOHNSON was independently a successful businesswoman. 

In 1943, she bought a failing low-power daytime-only Austin radio 

station with an inheritance from her mother. Armed with her journalism degree and a tireless work ethic, she took a hands-on ownership role, selling advertising, hiring staff, and even cleaning 

floors. Over time, her Austin broadcasting company grew to include 

an AM and FM radio station and a television station, all bearing 

the same call letters: KTBC. The family later expanded the LBJ 

holdings to stations in Waco and Corpus Christi and a cable television system. After selling the television station in 1972 and the 

cable system in the early 1990s, the family grew their radio interests in Austin to include six stations. Mrs. JOHNSON stayed actively 

involved in the LBJ Holding Company well into her eighties. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON is probably best known for her support of 

her husband’s career. When Lyndon Johnson volunteered for the 

U.S. Navy in World War II, Mrs. JOHNSON ran his congressional 

office, serving constituents’ needs in every way except voting. Her 

support for her husband’s political career continued throughout his 

years in government. She campaigned actively for his race for the 

Congress, Senate, Vice Presidency and Presidency. In 1960, she 

covered 35,000 miles for the Kennedy/Johnson ticket, and in 1964, 

she campaigned independently on a whistle-stop train throughout 

the South for the Johnson/Humphrey ticket. President Johnson 

paid her the highest of compliments, saying he thought that the 

voters ‘‘would happily have supported her over me.’’

LADY BIRD JOHNSON stood by her husband on the fateful November day in 1963 when Lyndon Johnson became the 36th President 

of the United States after the assassination of John Kennedy. Her 

official White House biography notes that her gracious personality 

and Texas hospitality did much to heal the pain of those dark days. 

She created a First Lady’s Committee for a More Beautiful Capital 

and then expanded her program to include the entire Nation. She 

was also highly involved in the President’s War on Poverty, focusing in particular on Project Head Start for preschool children. 

While President Johnson was still in office, Mrs. JOHNSON played 

a key role in the plans to build the LBJ Library and Museum and 

Lady Bird Johnson ix 

the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin, TX. The library is in 

the process of building the Lady Bird Johnson Center, consisting 

of educational classrooms and outdoor landscaping. After the Johnsons’ White House years ended in 1969, Mrs. JOHNSON authored ‘‘A 

White House Diary,’’ a memoir that drew on her considerable skills 

as a writer and historian. ‘‘I was keenly aware that I had a unique 

opportunity, a front row seat, on an unfolding story and nobody 

else was going to see it from quite the vantage point that I saw 

it.’’ She also co-authored ‘‘Wildflowers Across America’’ with 

Carlton Lees. 

In December 1972, President and Mrs. JOHNSON gave the LBJ 

Ranch house and surrounding property to the people of the United 

States as a national historic site. 

On her 70th birthday in 1982, Mrs. JOHNSON founded the National Wildflower Research Center, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the preservation and re-establishment of native plants in natural and planned landscapes. She donated funding and 60 acres of land in Austin to establish the organization. In 

December 1997, the property was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson 

Wildflower Center in honor of Mrs. JOHNSON’s 85th birthday. In 

2006, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center became a part of 

the University of Texas at Austin, guaranteeing its permanent 

place in the national landscape—and ensuring that LADY BIRD

JOHNSON’s name will live on in the hearts of Americans. 

As a child, LADY BIRD JOHNSON paddled in the dark bayous of 

Caddo Lake in East Texas under ancient cypress trees decorated 

with Spanish moss. The sense of place that came from being close 

to the land never left her. She would devote much of her life to preserving it. 

As she was growing up, earning her degrees from the University 

of Texas at Austin and tending to the many duties as wife of a rising political star, Mrs. JOHNSON often noted the impact that natural beauty had on her life. But she was First Lady of the Nation 

before she was able to translate her love for the land into national 

policy. Once started, she amassed a lifetime of achievement as the 

‘‘Environmental First Lady.’’

Former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall credits several 

trips to the American West, the Rocky Mountains and Utah with 

igniting Mrs. JOHNSON’s interest in conservation. In 1964, when 

she visited Indian reservations and dedicated the Flaming Gorge 

Dam in Utah, she told audiences that natural beauty was their 

greatest resource and must be protected. 

Right after the 1964 election, she decided that ‘‘the whole field 

of conservation and beautification’’ had the greatest appeal to her. 

x Biography 

Soon after that, she was urging her husband to see what could be 

done about junkyards along the Nation’s highways. 

Today, perhaps, most people think of LADY BIRD JOHNSON as the 

reason why we see wildflowers blooming along the Nation’s highways and fewer junkyards and billboards. The Beautification Act of 

1965 was one tangible result of Mrs. JOHNSON’s campaign for national beautification. Known as ‘‘Lady Bird’s bill’’ because of her active support, the legislation called for control of outdoor advertising, including removal of certain types of signs along the Nation’s interstate system and the existing Federal-aid primary system. It also required certain junkyards along interstate or primary 

highways to be removed or screened and encouraged scenic enhancement and roadside development. 

It is part of that legacy that today the Surface Transportation 

and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 requires that at 

least one-fourth of 1 percent of funds expended for landscaping 

projects in the highway system be used to plant native flowers, 

plants and trees. 

The term beautification concerned Mrs. JOHNSON, who feared it 

was cosmetic and trivial. She emphasized that it meant much 

more—‘‘clean water, clean air, clean roadsides, safe waste disposal 

and preservation of valued old landmarks as well as great parks 

and wilderness areas.’’ Meg Greenwood, writing in the Reporter, 

noted the ‘‘deceptively sweet and simple-sounding name of ‘beautification’.’’

Mrs. JOHNSON made it her mission to call attention to the natural beauty of the Nation, and one of her most important efforts 

was in Washington, DC, which was much in need of a facelift. 

In 1964 Mrs. JOHNSON formed the Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, responding to Mary Lasker’s suggestion that she 

make Washington, DC, a ‘‘garden city’’ and a model for the rest of 

the Nation. Soon afterward Mrs. Lasker, a philanthropist who lobbied for medical research as well as for natural beauty and Mrs. 

JOHNSON founded the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital, which received private donations for the project. The first 

planting took place on the Mall where Mrs. JOHNSON planted pansies. She then planted azaleas and dogwood in the triangle at Third 

and Independence Avenue and ended her first planting effort at a 

public housing project. 

Mrs. JOHNSON enlisted a stellar team to attack the issue, including Nash Castro, White House liaison for the National Park Service, philanthropist Laurance S. Rockefeller, Kathleen Louchheim, 

an Assistant Secretary of State and leader among Democratic 

women, and many others. 

Lady Bird Johnson xi 

Mrs. JOHNSON’s view of this project went far beyond planting 

daffodil bulbs. She was concerned with pollution, urban decay, 

recreation, mental health, public transportation, and the crime 

rate. The committee agreed to plant flowers in triangle parks all 

over the city, to give awards for neighborhood beautification, and 

to press for the revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue and the preservation of Lafayette Park. The committee also generated enormous donations of cash and azaleas, cherry trees, daffodils, dogwood and other plants in evidence today in Washington’s lovely 

parks and green spaces. Perhaps most important, Mrs. JOHNSON’s 

effort prompted businesses and others to begin beautification efforts in low-income neighborhoods hidden from the much-visited 

tourist attractions. 

One of her key efforts was to clean up trash and control rats in 

the Shaw section of Washington. That developed into Project Pride, 

which enlisted Howard University students and high school students to clean up neighborhoods. Mrs. JOHNSON funded the project 

with a $7,000 grant from the Society for a More Beautiful Capital. 

Later, Mrs. JOHNSON was a key player in the White House Conference on Natural Beauty that convened in May 1966, and was coordinated by Laurance S. Rockefeller. She opened the conference 

with a question: ‘‘Can a great democratic society generate the drive 

to plan, and having planned, execute projects of great natural 

beauty?’’ The conference sparked similar local conferences and 

added momentum to the national conservation movement. 

One result was the President’s Council on Recreation and Natural Beauty, chaired by Vice President Hubert Humphrey, another 

vehicle for spreading the conservation message and encouraging 

such local efforts as anti-litter campaigns. 

President Johnson also issued a proclamation declaring 1967 a 

‘‘Youth Natural Beauty and Conservation Year.’’ The Johnsons 

opened the year with a press conference honoring youth leaders at 

the LBJ Ranch. 

One method Mrs. JOHNSON employed in her beautification campaign was to call attention to important sites by visiting those 

places with the media in tow. She visited historic sites, national 

parks, and scenic areas, usually accompanied by Nash Castro of 

the National Park Service, a number of dignitaries and the media. 

Her nine beautification trips included Virginia historic places, the 

Hudson River in New York, Big Bend National Park and the California Redwoods. 

Mrs. JOHNSON’s views, expressed in letters and conversations, 

had influence in preventing the construction of dams in the Grand 

Canyon and in creating Redwoods National Park. 

xii Biography 

That the Johnson administration was the most active in conservation since the time of Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. 

Roosevelt is largely due to Mrs. JOHNSON. Among the major legislative initiatives were the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Land and 

Water Conservation Fund, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program 

and many additions to the National Park System, a total of 200 

laws relevant to the environment. 

The President thanked his wife for her dedication on July 26, 

1968, after signing the Department of the Interior appropriations 

bill. He presented her with 50 pens used to sign some 50 laws relating to conservation and beautification and a plaque that read: 

‘‘To LADY BIRD, who has inspired me and millions of Americans to 

try to preserve our land and beautify our Nation. With love from 

Lyndon.’’

Just before President Johnson left office, Columbia Island in the 

Potomac River was renamed Lady Bird Johnson Park. Starting in 

1969, Mrs. JOHNSON served on the Advisory Board on National 

Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings and Monuments. 

After leaving Washington, Mrs. JOHNSON focused her efforts on 

Texas. She was the leading force behind Austin’s beautiful hike 

and bike trail that winds more than 10 miles around the Town 

Lake portion of the Colorado River, graced with blooming native 

trees and plants. ‘‘She’ll say she got on a moving train, but she had 

the leadership to say it could be a jewel,’’ said Carolyn Curtis, a 

close family friend. ‘‘Now it is the meeting point of all of Austin. 

It brought in the Hyatt and the Four Seasons. She was the one 

with that vision.’’

For 20 years, starting in 1969, she encouraged the beautification 

of Texas highways by personally giving awards to the highway districts that used native Texas plants and scenery to the best advantage. Her focus was on the ecological advantages as well as the 

beauty of native plants—a passion that would lead her to create 

the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982 on the occasion 

of her 70th birthday. 

Mrs. JOHNSON enlisted her friend, actress Helen Hayes, and 

made a personal contribution of $125,000 and 60 acres east of Austin to start the center, which grew into an organization of more 

than 13,000 members. The center soon became a national leader in 

research, education and projects that encouraged the use of 

wildflowers. 

Several years later, Mrs. JOHNSON foresaw the need for a larger 

site and located a lovely 43-acre piece of land in the hill country 

of Southwest Austin on which to erect a permanent building. The 

new center opened in 1995. In 1998, it was renamed the Lady Bird 

Johnson Wildflower Center. Now, with 279 acres, more than 700 

Lady Bird Johnson xiii 

plant species on display, and a fully developed education program 

for children and adults, the Wildflower Center’s influence is strong 

across the Nation. 

With its mission of increasing the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes, the center works 

to teach everyone how these plants conserve water, minimize the 

use of fertilizers and insecticides that pollute the atmosphere and 

convey a unique sense of place. 

‘‘It is not just one organization, one location,’’ said Mrs. Johnson’s 

daughter, Luci Baines Johnson. ‘‘It is a philosophy that will endure 

long after my mother is not here, and I think there is no legacy 

she would more treasure than to have helped people recognize the 

value in preserving and promoting our native land.’’

In an article in the Organization of American Historians’ Magazine of History, historian Rita G. Koman said, ‘‘LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s legacy was to legitimize environmental issues as a national 

priority. The attitudes and policies she advanced have shaped the 

conservation and preservation policies of the environmental movement since then.’’

Lewis L. Gould, University of Texas professor and author of 

‘‘LADY BIRD JOHNSON and the Environmental Movement,’’ wrote in 

his preface: 

If a man in the 1960s had been involved with an environmental movement such as highway beautification, had changed the appearance of a 

major American city, had addressed the problems of black inner-city youth 

and had campaigned tirelessly to enhance national concern about natural 

beauty, no doubts would be raised that he was worthy of biographical and 

scholarly scrutiny. LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s accomplishments [served] as a 

catalyst for environmental ideas during the 1960s and thereafter entitle her 

to an evaluation of what she tried to do and what she achieved. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was honored by President Ford by being 

named to the Advisory Council to the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed 

Mrs. JOHNSON to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. In 1966 she received the George Foster Peabody Award 

for the television program, ‘‘A Visit to Washington with Mrs. LYNDON B. JOHNSON on Behalf of a More Beautiful America.’’

Mrs. JOHNSON was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President 

Gerald Ford in 1977, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1988. 

Her more than 50 awards include the Eleanor Roosevelt Golden 

Candlestick Award, Women’s National Press Club, 1968; Conservation Service Award, Department of the Interior, 1974; American 

Legion Distinguished Award, 1975; Ladies Home Journal ‘‘Woman 

of the Year’’ Award for Quality of Life, 1975; Texas Women’s Hall 

of Fame, 1984; National Achievement Award, American Horticultural Society, 1984; Wildflowers Across America Award of the 

xiv Biography 

Year, Garden Writers Association, 1984; Texan of the Year Award, 

State of Texas, 1985; and the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor, 2003. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s more than 15 honorary degrees include a 

doctor of letters in 1964 from the University of Texas, Austin, TX; 

doctor of law in 1964 from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX; 

a doctor of public service in 1986 from George Washington University; and a doctor of humane letters in 1990 from Johns Hopkins 

University. 

Lady Bird Johnson xv 

Claudia ‘‘Lady Bird’’ Taylor in graduation cap and gown. 


37000.005
xvi Memorial Tributes 

Austin Statesman 

Lady Bird Johnson with movie camera. 


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Lady Bird Johnson xvii 

Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson posing in front of the 

Capitol. 


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xviii Memorial Tributes 

Lady Bird Johnson planting a cherry tree. 


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Lady Bird Johnson xix 

Yoichi Okamoto 

Lady Bird Johnson, President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Yuki sitting 

near the Pedernales River. 

Robert Knudsen 

Lady Bird Johnson visits classroom for Project Head Start. 


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xx Memorial Tributes 

LBJ Library photo by Robert Knudsen 

Portrait of Lady Bird Johnson in the White House, May 8, 1968. 


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Lady Bird Johnson xxi 

Frank Wolfe 

Left to right: Lyndon Nugent, Jennifer Robb, Nicole Nugent, Claudia Nugent, Lady Bird Johnson, Lucinda Robb, Rebekah Nugent, 

Catherine Robb. 


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(xxiii) 

T H E H OLY E UCHARIST: 

R ITE T W O

T H E L ITURGY

FOR THE P ROCLAMATION

OF THE

W ORD OF G O D

AND C ELEBRATION OF THE

H OLY C OMMUNION

I N T HANKSGIVING FOR THE L IFE OF

L ADY B IRD J OHNSON

xxiv Memorial Services 

THE WORD OF GOD

HYMN: MORNING HAS BROKEN

Bunessan 

Morning has broken like the first morning, 

blackbird has spoken like the first bird. 

Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! 

Praise for them springing, fresh from the Word! 

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, 

like the first dewfall on the first grass. 

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, 

sprung in completeness, where his feet pass. 

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning, 

born of the one light Eden saw play! 

Praise with elation, praise every morning, 

God’s recreation of the new day! 

The people standing, the Celebrant says 

Celebrant 

Alleluia. Christ is risen. 

People 

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. 

The Celebrant says 

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, 

and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our 

hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through 

Christ our Lord. Amen. 

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

The Celebrant says to the people 

The Lord be with you. 

People 

And also with you. 

Celebrant 

Let us pray. 

Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful 

servant CLAUDIA; and we pray that, having opened to her the 

gates of larger life, you will receive her more and more into 

your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served 

you in the past, she may share in the eternal victory of Jesus 

Lady Bird Johnson xxv 

Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity 

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

THE LESSONS

The people sit. 

READING: ISAIAH 61:1–3 

READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:4–9 

The people stand and say together Psalm 23 

PSALM: PSALM 23 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside 

still waters. 

He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his 

Name’s sake. 

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 

shall fear no evil; 

for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who 

trouble me; 

you have anointed my head with oil, 

and my cup is running over. 

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days 

of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

Then, all standing, the Priest reads the Gospel, first saying 

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 5:1–12 

People 

Glory to you, Lord Christ. 

After the Gospel, the Reader says 

The Gospel of the Lord. 

People 

Praise to you, Lord Christ. 

xxvi Memorial Services 

The people sit. 

THE HOMILY

The people stand. 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Dear Friends: It was our Lord Jesus himself who said, 

‘‘Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will 

give you rest.’’

Let us pray, then, for our beloved CLAUDIA, that she may rest 

from her labors, and enter into the light of God’s eternal sabbath rest. 

Receive, O Lord, your servant, for she returns to you. 

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our sister CLAUDIA. 

Wash her in the holy font of everlasting life, and clothe her in 

his heavenly wedding garment. 

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our sister CLAUDIA. 

May she hear your words of invitation, ‘‘Come, you blessed of 

my Father.’’

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our sister CLAUDIA. 

May she gaze upon you, Lord, face to face, and taste the blessedness of perfect rest. 

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our sister CLAUDIA. 

May angels surround her, and saints welcome her in peace. 

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our sister CLAUDIA. 

The Celebrant concludes 

Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before whom live all who 

die in the Lord: Receive our beloved CLAUDIA into the courts 

of your heavenly dwelling place. Let her heart and soul now 

ring out in joy to you, O Lord, the living God, and the God of 

those who live. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

HYMN: IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST

McKee, Afro-American spiritual 

In Christ there is no East or West, 

in him no South or North, 

but one great fellowship of love, 

throughout the whole wide world. 

Join hands, disciples of the faith, 

Lady Bird Johnson xxvii 

what e’er your race may be! 

Who serves my Father as his child 

is surely kin to me. 

In Christ now meet both East and West, 

in him meet South and North, 

all Christly souls are one in him, 

throughout the whole wide earth. 

THE HOLY COMMUNION

The people remain standing. The Celebrant faces them and says 

Celebrant 

The Lord be with you. 

People 

And also with you. 

Celebrant 

Lift up your hearts. 

People 

We lift them to the Lord. 

Celebrant 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

People 

It is right to give him thanks and praise. 

Then the Celebrant proceeds 

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere 

to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and 

earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from 

the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting 

life. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not 

ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens. 

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and 

Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever 

sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: 

Celebrant and People 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, 

heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

xxviii Memorial Services 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Then the Celebrant continues 

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which 

you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel 

to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; 

and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in 

these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin 

Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you 

have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, 

out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. 

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took 

bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and 

gave it to his disciples, and said, ‘‘Take, eat: This is my Body, 

which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.’’

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given 

thanks, he gave it to them, and said, ‘‘Drink this, all of you: 

This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you 

and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink 

it, do this for the remembrance of me.’’

Therefore, according to his command, O Father, 

Celebrant and People 

We remember his death, 

We proclaim his resurrection, 

We await his coming in glory; 

The Celebrant continues 

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, 

O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread 

and this wine. 

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon 

these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of 

Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your 

Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, 

being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put 

all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that 

heavenly country where, with CLAUDIA TAYLOR JOHNSON and 

all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your 

sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of 

our salvation. 

Lady Bird Johnson xxix 

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy 

Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and 

for ever. Amen. 

And now, as our Savior 

Christ has taught us, 

we are bold to say, 

People and Celebrant 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy Name, 

Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done, 

On earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

As we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

But deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, 

And the power, and the glory, 

For ever and ever. 

Amen. 

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. 

A period of silence is kept. 

Then the Celebrant says 

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; 

People 

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. 

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation 

The Gifts of God for the People of God. 

After Communion, the Celebrant says 

Let us pray together: 

Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have 

fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood 

of your Son Jesus Christ, and have given us a foretaste of your 

heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be to us a 

comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that 

kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, 

but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through Jesus 

Christ our Savior. Amen. 

xxx Memorial Services 

The people stand. 

THE PEACE

Celebrant 

The peace of the Lord be always with you. 

People 

And also with you. 

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name 

of the Lord. 

DISMISSAL

Lady Bird Johnson xxxi 

I N C ELEBRATION OF THE

L IFE OF

L ADY B IRD J OHNSON

1912 – 2007


37000.003
xxxii Memorial Services 

‘‘As I look back on those five years of turmoil and 

achievement, of triumph and pain, I feel amazement 

that it happened to me, and gratitude that I had the 

opportunity to live them, and strongest of all—out of all 

the trips that I made and all the people that I met— 

a deep, roaring faith in and love for this country.’’ 

Lady Bird Johnson 

A White House Diary, 1970 

Lady Bird Johnson xxxiii 

Dear Loved Ones, 

Thank you for sharing in the celebration of our mother’s, grandmother’s, and great-grandmother’s life. 

We know that Mother had many families. She had national, political, business, beautification, university, library, and most especially, wildflower families. 

For ninety-four years, she mothered them all selflessly, giving 

the first fruits of her powerful intellect, gentle understanding, insatiable curiosity, benevolent spirit, and time. 

We recognize that, in many ways, you thought of her as your 

mother, too. 

We know you join us in mourning her loss, giving thanks for her 

life well lived, and rejoicing that her suffering in recent years has 

been replaced by the joy of salvation. 

Mother believed in all her families and made each feel she loved 

them best. We pray that our service to her families may be a credit 

to her example, for that is the just tribute to a mother’s love. 

We love you for loving her, 

Lynda and Chuck Robb 

Luci Baines Johnson and Ian Turpin 

Lyndon and Nicole Nugent 

Lucinda Robb and Lars Florio 

Nicole and Brent Covert 

Catherine Lewis Robb 

Rebekah and Jeremy McIntosh 

Claudia and Steven Brod 

Jennifer Robb 

Tatum Rebekah and Taylor Baines Nugent 

Johnson and Claudia Covert 

Eloise, Tucker, and Luci Bella McIntosh 

Sophia Baines and Isabella Taylor Brod 

Madeline Taylor Florio 

xxxiv Memorial Services 

Lady Bird Johnson touring the Giant Redwoods in Eureka, CA, on 

November 25, 1968. 


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Lady Bird Johnson xxxv 

IN TRIBUTE

Today we say our personal farewells to LADY BIRD JOHNSON for 

her friendship and her abiding love of the land for all to enjoy. She 

exemplified what conscientious people must strive to do: make a 

difference. 

Today where wildflowers grow free and landscapes are not hidden, we are grateful she was the crucial catalyst, accomplishing 

this with a gentle hand and tender voice as she led a rebellion 

against ugliness. She rallied not only powerful allies, but millions 

of unknown followers to the cause of the environment’s best and 

did it with her own strong words: 

‘‘Ugliness is so grim. A little beauty, something that is lovely, can 

create harmony that will lessen tensions. The time is ripe—the 

time is now—to take advantage of this yeasty, bubbling desire to 

beautify our cities and our countryside.’’

It lifted the stature of those environmentalists who had been 

struggling at city halls and state legislatures. As a result of her 

courageous voice and national following, she put the environment 

on the agenda of every person in public life—where it remains. 

Politics was not her choice for a life, but she gave her loyalty to 

its purposes and did it with grace, eloquence, and humor. Realistic 

always, she said, ‘‘One of the earmarks of campaigning is total confusion . . . it means early sun-ups and cold pancakes.’’

She was always there, not just for her husband and son-in-law, 

but in later years, for family and friends who were swept into public life by the Great Society and her abiding faith ‘‘that the path 

of mankind is always upward.’’ She wrote checks and she gave 

open support. 

Her style was natural with unassuming warmth as refreshing as 

the sweet scent of the East Texas piney woods where she grew up 

pretty much alone, after her mother’s death at age five. She recalled playing around the gnarled old roots of the cypress trees on 

Caddo Lake and delighting in finding the first violets of spring. 

Her commitment to the cause of leaving nature’s beauty 

unmolested became a movement. 

Her love for her husband withstood all attacks. ‘‘He is an exciting 

man to live with, and an exhausting man to keep up with, and one 

who has taught me that to put all the heart and skill and brains 

you have into trying to make your government work a little bit better, can be a wonderful life for a man—and his wife.’’ She translated his causes for Head Start, the Job Corps, and the War on 

Poverty with trips throughout the country, taking reporters along 

‘‘to help the public look, see, and hopefully act.’’

xxxvi Memorial Services 

When she moved into the White House, she told reporters, ‘‘I 

have moved on stage to a part I never rehearsed.’’

There was no need for one. 

Liz Carpenter 

Lady Bird Johnson xxxvii 

ORDER OF SERVICE

PRELUDE: BRASS ENSEMBLE

Combined Choirs of Ebenezer Baptist Church and Huston-Tillotson 

University 

OPENING SENTENCE: JOHN 14:1–3 

Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in 

me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, 

would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And 

when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and 

will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

Please stand as the family is seated and remain standing for the 

opening hymn. 

OPENING HYMN: HYMN TO JOY

Choir and Congregation 

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, 

God of glory, Lord of love; 

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, 

Praising thee, their sun above. 

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; 

Drive the dark of doubt away; 

Giver of immortal gladness, 

Fill us with the light of day. 

All thy works with joy surround thee, 

Earth and heaven reflect thy rays, 

Stars and angels sing around thee, 

Center of unbroken praise: 

Field and forest, vale and mountain, 

Blooming meadow, flashing sea, 

Chanting bird and flowing fountain, 

Call us to rejoice in thee. 

Thou art giving and forgiving, 

Ever blessing, ever blest, 

Well-spring of the joy of living, 

Ocean-depth of happy rest! 

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother: 

All who live in love are thine; 

Teach us how to love each other, 

Lift us to the joy divine. 

Amen. 

xxxviii Memorial Services 

COLLECT

The Reverend Dean Pratt 

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our 

sister CLAUDIA. We thank you for giving her to us, her family 

and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly 

pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who 

mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, 

so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on 

earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have 

gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Please sit 

FIRST READING: WISDOM 3:1–3; DANIEL 12:3 

Claudia Taylor Brod 

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they 

seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a 

disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but 

they are at peace. Those who trust in him will understand 

truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because 

grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over 

his elect. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness 

of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the 

stars forever and ever. 

PSALM: PSALM 46 

Rebekah Johnson Nugent McIntosh 

God is our hope and strength,* 

a very present help in trouble. 

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved,* 

and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea; 

Though the waters thereof rage and swell,* 

and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same. 

There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of 

God,* 

the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of her, 

therefore shall she not be removed;* 

God shall help her, and that right early. 

Be still then, and know that I am God;* 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

and I will be exalted in the earth. 

Lady Bird Johnson xxxix 

The Lord of hosts is with us;* 

the God of Jacob is our refuge. 

SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:14–19; 34–35; 37–39 

Jennifer Robb 

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, 

or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or 

sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors 

through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither, 

death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor 

things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the 

love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

REMEMBERING

Tom Johnson 

Harry Middleton 

Please stand 

HYMN: FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

Choir and Congregation 

For the beauty of the earth, 

For the beauty of the skies, 

For the love which from our birth 

Over and around us lies, 

Lord of all, to thee we raise 

This our hymn of grateful praise. 

For the beauty of each hour 

Of the day and of the night, 

Hill and vale, and tree and flower, 

Sun and moon, and stars of light, 

Refrain 

For the joy of human love, 

Brother, sister, parent, child, 

Friends on earth, and friends above, 

For all gentle thoughts and mild, 

Refrain 

Amen. 

xl Memorial Services 

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 6:25–33 

The Reverend Patsy Chaney 

‘‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you 

will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you 

will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than 

clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor 

reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds 

them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you 

by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why 

do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 

how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even 

Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But 

if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and 

tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more 

clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 

‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we 

wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and 

indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these 

things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’’

Please sit 

HOMILY

Bill Moyers 

Please stand 

HYMN: IN THE GARDEN

Choir and Congregation 

I come to the garden alone, 

While the dew is still on the roses: 

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, 

The Son of God discloses. 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice 

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me, 

Within my heart is ringing. 

Refrain 

Lady Bird Johnson xli 

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Nicole Covert 

Lucinda Robb 

Catherine Lewis Robb 

Lynda Robb 

Luci Baines Johnson 

Please stand 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

In unison 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy Name, 

Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done, 

On earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

As we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

But deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, 

And the power, and the glory, 

For ever and ever. 

Amen. 

COMMENDATION

The Right Reverend John McCarthy 

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant 

CLAUDIA. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of 

your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own 

redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the 

blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen. 

BENEDICTION

And now may the blessing of the Lord rest and remain upon 

all his people, in every land, of every tongue. The Lord meet 

in mercy all that seek him. The Lord comfort all that suffer 

and mourn. The Lord hasten his kingdom, and give you and 

all his people peace forevermore. Amen. 

HYMN: AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Choir and Congregation 

O beautiful for spacious skies, 

xlii Memorial Services 

For amber waves of grain, 

For purple mountain majesties 

Above the fruited plain! 

America! America! 

God shed His grace on thee, 

And crown thy good with brotherhood 

From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for patriot dream 

That sees beyond the years 

Thine alabaster cities gleam 

Undimmed by human tears. 

America! America! 

God shed his grace on thee, 

And crown thy good with brotherhood 

From sea to shining sea. 

MUSICAL TRIBUTE: THE EYES OF TEXAS

Band and Congregation, University of Texas Longhorn Band 

The Eyes of Texas are upon you, 

All the livelong day. 

The Eyes of Texas are upon you, 

You cannot get away. 

Do not think you can escape them, 

From night ’til early in the morn. 

The Eyes of Texas are upon you, 

’Til Gabriel blows his horn. 

RECESSIONAL

Instrumental 

DISMISSAL

Lyndon Nugent will deliver the Family Tribute at the private burial service. That 

service will be conducted by The Reverend Richard Elwood. 

Holy Communion in thanksgiving for the life of Lady Bird Johnson 

was celebrated at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 

under the direction of The Reverend Stephen Kinney. 

Lady Bird Johnson xliii 

The private burial will be at The Johnson Family Cemetery on the banks of the 

Pedernales River. 


37000.001
xliv Memorial Services 

Tom Johnson 

Heaven is even a more beautiful place today because LADY BIRD

JOHNSON is there. 

A new angel has entered the Pearly Gates, and there now are 

Texas bluebonnets planted along those streets of gold. 

As heartbreaking as it is to lose Mrs. JOHNSON here on earth, it 

is comforting to know that she once again can see the wonders of 

another world, that she again can read the books she loved so dearly, that she is once again reunited with her man for rides together 

around the Great Ranch in the Sky. 

I can imagine her saying to LBJ, ‘‘Now, Lyndon, didn’t our Lynda 

and Luci and their children and grandchildren turn out just wonderfully!’’

And, I can imagine LBJ responding: ‘‘Oh, yes, they did. I give all 

of them ‘A plus.’ ’’

In another conversation sure to take place soon, President JOHNSON will say: 

‘‘Even though you and Harry Middleton opened those sealed 

White House tape recordings about 40 years earlier than I had directed, it was another wise decision by you. They actually seem to 

have helped my reputation.’’

And, indeed—they have. 

President JOHNSON often said, ‘‘Texans care about you when you 

are sick, and they come to your funeral when you die.’’

Well, today not just Texans but people across the Nation mourn 

the loss of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

Gathered here are so many of those who loved her most of all: 

Lynda and Luci and their families. She took such incredible 

pride in you. And you have cared for her with such magnificent devotion and love. 

The LBJ Ranch staff and office staff provided such loyalty to her 

throughout her lifetime. It was a labor of love, and she knew it. 

Her Secret Service agents who always protected her and watched 

over her with special thoughtfulness and respect. She thought of 

you as her friends, a part of her expanded family. 

Her White House staffs, especially Liz Carpenter and Bess Abel, 

and all those who supported her while she was First Lady. 

Her beautification team, those who joined her efforts in the 

White House and those who brought to life the splendid National 

Wildflower Center here in Austin. 

Her last wish—to unite the Wildflower Center with her beloved 

University of Texas—became a reality thanks to so many of you 

here today. 

And her dearest personal friends and travel partners. 

Lady Bird Johnson xlv 

Wasn’t she just the best host in Acapulco, at Martha’s Vineyard, 

in Italy, in France, in Greece, in Egypt? I bet she and Bob Waldron 

already are planning their next heavenly trip. 

Each and every one of us has been touched in some way by the 

magic that was LADY BIRD. 

Who can ever see another field of wildflowers without thinking 

of her? 

Who can forget all our conversations with her? She so loved good 

conversations, especially to hear about our children, and our grandchildren, about what good books we had read, and what interesting 

trips we had made. 

To hear her talk always was an unforgettable experience. She 

chose each word carefully. Her words of wisdom will remain with 

me throughout my lifetime. 

You have heard this before, but I think it deserves repeating: 

I asked her once, ‘‘Mrs. J., what is the favorite gift of all those 

you have received in your lifetime?’’

She replied: ‘‘Tom, the best gift you can give another person is 

the gift of a good memory.’’

Well, Mrs. J., you gave us all so many beautiful memories. 

Whenever Edwina and I see a wildflower, we will have our wonderful memories of you. 

Whenever we take a trip, we will have our splendid memories of 

our magnificent trips with you. 

Whenever we read a great book, we will recall your great love 

of reading and our discussions of those books with you. 

Mrs. J, you enriched our lives, and the lives of millions of people 

everywhere. 

We have lost and heaven has gained—one of the best the world 

contained. 

Goodbye, Mrs. J., we will be seeing you again. 

Harry Middleton 

A sentimental ballad from days long gone plays in my mind: ‘‘I’ll 

Be Seeing You.′′ 

The lyrics of that song of half a century ago tell of carousels and 

sidewalk cafes and wishing wells. The images of LADY BIRD it conjures up are of a different order. They are of color and achievement 

and fulfillment. If the song had been written with her in mind, it 

would go more along these lines: 

I’ll be seeing you in every burst of roadside bloom . . . 

In every Head Start schoolhouse room . . . 

xlvi Memorial Services 

I’ll be seeing her—we all will—whenever we chance upon a coffee-can geranium sitting on a window sill, when we watch strollers 

on the trail around Town Lake, whenever, indeed, we know the return of spring. She created, and left for us all, memories to garnish 

a lifetime. All kinds of memories. She was so much to so many. 

‘‘Some people,’’ John Gardner said of her, ‘‘make the world a special 

place just by being the kind of people they are. That’s LADY BIRD.’’

And beyond the well-known qualities that make the world a better place were others that may not have been counted in that calculus, but nonetheless contributed immeasurable to the pleasure of 

many of us. 

A quality that I want to celebrate today, before she is left to history, is one that will not be found in her official biography, but is 

an essential part of the memory I carry. She was fun, just a whale 

of a lot of fun to be with. She had a delicious sense of humor, sometimes slightly mischievous, not always in keeping with her image. 

It was my good fortune to spend part of every summer with her 

on Martha’s Vineyard. Our first visit there was some 30 years ago. 

It was only for a week, but a week with a tiring schedule, entirely 

packed with activities. Each night was the occasion for at least two, 

sometimes three, festive events. One evening, halfway through the 

week, as we sped from a cocktail party to a dinner, she said: ‘‘I 

don’t know why I am doing this.’’ Then, remember, this was 30 

years ago, and the language and slogans of the 1960s were still 

part of our on-going experience, she said: ‘‘Well, I do know. It’s because I didn’t say ‘HELL NO, I WON’T GO!’ ’’

Then there was the time we were in New York having a breakfast meeting in the dining room of the Plaza Hotel. The members 

of a rock singing group, calling themselves the Village People were 

seated there, too, all in full costume, one as a construction worker, 

another as a policeman, another as an Indian. Recognizing Mrs. 

JOHNSON, the leader came over, introduced the group, proclaimed 

his admiration, and asked if she would have her picture taken with 

them. Ever gracious, she of course agreed. 

Afterward, she asked and was told who they were. She smiled. 

‘‘Well,’’ she said, ‘‘I wonder if we just made the cover of their next 

album.’’

It was an element, a fascinating element, of her many-splendored 

personality, as her forbearance was, and her keen intelligence, and 

the indomitable spirit of her final days. 

In all her varieties, she brought a special charm into our world, 

a special mix of grace and steel, of wit and wisdom, a special blend 

of so many causes, so many contributions, so many things to value. 

‘‘Thank you for showing us the beauty around us,’’ a woman 

wrote her recently. On the anniversary of Head Start, the program 

Lady Bird Johnson xlvii 

to open educational opportunities to poor children, which she 

launched as National Chairman, many wrote to tell her how that 

program had changed their lives. 

They wrote to her on a myriad of issues over the years. 

‘‘She lit a fire in this country that has never gone out,’’ a colleague of her White House days said of her. 

It has never gone out, and it won’t. It glows in places and hearts 

without number. 

It glows in mine. And it beats with the rhythm of a time when 

the world was younger, when we shared the great adventure of 

building a historic institution to preserve a noble legacy. 

I’ll be seeing her in all the places of beauty she created and 

touched. I’ll remember her always for her courage and the strength 

of her support. And I’ll think of her and hear her voice in all the 

memories of joy and laughter she brought to my life. 

Bill Moyers, PBS journalist, Special Assistant to President 

Lyndon Johnson 1963–1967 

It is unthinkable to me that LADY BIRD is gone. 

She was so much a part of the landscape, so much a part of our 

lives and our times, so much a part of our country for so long that 

I began to imagine her with us always. Now, although the fields 

of purple, orange, and blue will long evoke her gifts to us, that vibrant presence has departed, and we are left to mourn our loss of 

her even as we celebrate her life. 

Some people arriving earlier today were asked, ‘‘Are you sitting 

with the family?’’ I looked around at this throng and said to myself, 

‘‘Everyone here is sitting with the family. That’s how she would 

treat us. All of us.’’

When I arrived in Washington in 1954 to work in the LBJ mailroom between my sophomore and junior years, I didn’t know a single person in town, not even the Johnsons, whom I only met that 

first week. She soon recognized that weekends were especially lonesome for me, and she called one day to ask me over for Sunday 

brunch. 

I had never even heard of Sunday brunch, much less been to one; 

for all I knew, it was an Episcopalian sacrament. When I arrived 

at 30th Place the family was there, the little girls, LADY BIRD and 

himself. But so were Richard Russell and Sam Rayburn and J. 

Edgar Hoover. They didn’t look like Episcopal priests to me. They 

were sitting around the smallish room reading the newspaper, except for LBJ, who was on the phone. If this is their idea of a sacrament, I thought, I’ll just stay a Baptist. But Mrs. JOHNSON knew 

something about the bachelors she had invited there, including the 

xlviii Memorial Services 

kid fresh up from her native East Texas. On a Sunday morning 

they needed a family, and she had offered us communion at her 

table. In a way, it was a sacrament. 

It was also very good politics. She told me something that summer that would make a difference in my life. She was shy, and in 

the presence of powerful men, she usually kept her counsel. Sensing that I was shy, too, and aware I had no experience to enforce 

any opinions, she said: ‘‘Don’t worry. If you are unsure of what to 

say, just ask questions, and I promise you that when they leave, 

they will think you were the smartest one in the room, just for listening to them. Word will get around,’’ she said. 

She knew the ways of the world, and how they could be made 

to work for you, even when you didn’t fully understand what was 

going on. She told me once, years later, that she didn’t even understand everything about the man she married, nor did she want to, 

she said, as long as he needed her. 

Oh, he needed her, all right. You know the famous incident. 

Once, trying to locate her in a crowded room, he growled aloud: 

‘‘Where’s LADY BIRD?’’ And she replied: ‘‘Right behind you, darling, 

where I’ve always been.’’

‘‘Whoever loves, believes the impossible,’’ Elizabeth Browning 

wrote. LADY BIRD truly loved this man she often found impossible. 

‘‘I’m no more bewildered by Lyndon than he is bewildered by himself,’’ she once told me. 

Like everyone he loved, she often found herself in the path of his 

Vesuvian eruptions. During the campaign of 1960 I slept in the bed 

in their basement when we returned from the road for sessions of 

the Senate. She knew I was lonesome for Judith and our 6-monthold son who were back in Texas. She would often come down the 

two flights of stairs to ask if I was doing all right. One night the 

Senator and I got home even later than usual. And he brought with 

him some unresolved dispute from the Senate Cloakroom. At midnight I could still hear him upstairs, carrying on as if he were 

about to purge the Democratic caucus. Pretty soon I heard her footsteps on the stairs and I called out: ‘‘Mrs. JOHNSON, you don’t need 

to check up on me. I’m all right.’’ And she called back, ‘‘Well, I was 

coming down to tell you I’m all right, too.’’

She seemed to grow calmer as the world around her became 

more furious. 

Thunderstorms struck in her life so often you had to wonder why 

the gods on Olympus kept testing her. She lost her mother in an 

accident when she was 5. She was two cars behind JFK in Dallas. 

She was in the White House when Martin Luther King was shot 

and Washington burned. She grieved for the family of Robert Kennedy, and for the lives lost in Vietnam. 

Lady Bird Johnson xlix 

Early in the White House, a well-meaning editor up from Texas 

said, ‘‘You poor thing, having to follow Jackie Kennedy.’’ Mrs. 

JOHNSON’s mouth dropped open in amazed disbelief. And she said, 

‘‘Oh, no, don’t pity me. Weep for Mrs. Kennedy. She lost her husband. I still have my Lyndon.’’

She aimed for the consolation and comfort of others. It was not 

only her talent at negotiating the civil war raging in his nature. 

It was not just the way she remained unconscripted by the factions 

into which family, friends, and advisers inevitably divide around a 

powerful figure. She did her best to keep open all the roads to reconciliation. 

Like her beloved flowers in the field, she was a woman of many 

hues. A strong manager, a canny investor, a shrewd judge of people, friend and foe, and she never confused the two. Deliberate in 

coming to judgment, she was sure in conclusion. 

But let me speak especially of the one quality that most captured 

my admiration and affection, her courage. 

It is the fall of 1960. We’re in Dallas, where neither Kennedy nor 

Johnson are local heroes. We start across the street from the 

Adolphus to the Baker Hotel. The reactionary Congressman from 

Dallas has organized a demonstration of women, pretty women, in 

costumes of red, white, and blue, waving little American flags 

above their cowboy hats. At first I take them to be cheerleaders 

having a good time. But suddenly they are an angry mob, snarling, 

salivating, spitting. 

A roar, a primal terrifying roar swells around us, my first experience with collective hate roused to a fever pitch. I’m right behind 

the Johnsons. She’s taken his arm and as she turns left and right, 

nodding to the mob, I can see she is smiling. And I see in the eyes 

of some of those women a confusion, what I take to be their realization that this is them at their most uncivil, confronting a woman 

who is the triumph of civility. So help me, her very demeanor creates a small zone of grace in the midst of that tumultuous throng. 

And they move back a little, and again a little, Mrs. JOHNSON continuing to nod and smile, until we’re inside the Baker and upstairs 

in the suite. 

Now LBJ is smiling, he knows that Texas was up for grabs until 

this moment, and the backlash will decide it for us. But Mrs. JOHNSON has pulled back the curtains and is looking down that street 

as the mob disperses. She has seen a dark and disturbing omen. 

Still holding the curtain back, as if she were peering into the future, she says, ‘‘Things will never be the same again.’’

Now it is 1964. The disinherited descendants of slavery, still denied their rights as citizens after a century of segregation, have resolved to claim for themselves the American promise of life, liberty, 

l Memorial Services 

and the pursuit of happiness. President Johnson has thrown the 

full power of his office to their side. He has just signed the Civil 

Rights Acts of 1964, the greatest single sword of justice raised for 

equality since the Emancipation Proclamation. A few weeks later, 

both Johnsons plunge into his campaign for election in his own 

right. After that historic legislation he has more or less given up 

on the South, but she will not. These were her people, here were 

her roots. And she is not ready to sever them. So she sets out on 

a whistle-stop journey of nearly 1700 miles through the heart of 

her past. She is on her own now, campaigning independently, 

across the Mason-Dixon line past the buckle of the Bible Belt all 

the way down to the Port of New Orleans. I cannot all these years 

later do justice to what she faced: The boos, the jeers, the hecklers, 

the crude signs and cruder gestures, the insults and the threats. 

This is the land still ruled by Jim Crow and John Birch, who control the law with the cross and enforce it with the club. It is 1964, 

and bathroom signs still read: ‘‘White Ladies’’ and ‘‘Colored 

Women.’’

In Richmond, she is greeted with signs that read: ‘‘Fly away, 

LADY BIRD.’’ In Charleston, ‘‘Blackbird Go Home.’’ Children planted 

in the front row hold up signs practically in her face: ‘‘Johnson is 

a Nigger Lover.’’ In Savannah they curse her daughter. The air has 

become so menacing we run a separate engine 15 minutes ahead 

of her in case of a bomb. She later said, ‘‘People were concerned 

for me, but I was concerned for the engineer in the train out in 

front; he was in far greater danger.’’ Rumors spread of snipers, and 

in the panhandle of Florida the threats are so ominous the FBI orders a yard-by-yard sweep of a 7-mile bridge that her train would 

cross. 

She never flinches. Up to 40 times a day from the platform of the 

caboose she will speak, sometimes raising a single white-gloved 

hand to punctuate her words, always the lady. When the insults 

grew so raucous in South Carolina, she tells the crowd the ugly 

words were coming ‘‘not from the good people of South Carolina but 

from the state of confusion.’’ In Columbia she answers hecklers 

with what one observer called ‘‘a maternal bark.’’ And she says, 

‘‘This is a country of many viewpoints. I respect your right to express your own. Now is my turn to express mine.’’

An advance man called me back at the White House from the 

pay phone at a local train depot. He was choking back the tears. 

‘‘As long as I live,’’ he said, in a voice breaking with emotion, ‘‘I 

will thank God I was here today, so that I can tell my children that 

I saw the difference courage makes.’’

Yes, she planted flowers, and wanted and worked for highways 

and parks and vistas that opened us to the Technicolor splendors 

Lady Bird Johnson li 

of our world. Walk this weekend among the paths and trails and 

flowers and see the beauty she loved. But as you do, remember, she 

also loved democracy, and saw a beauty in it, rough though the 

ground may be, hard and stony, as tangled and as threatened with 

blight as nature itself. And remember that this shy little girl from 

Karnack, TX, with eyes as wistful as cypress and manners as soft 

as the whispering pine, grew up to show us how to cultivate the 

beauty in democracy: The voice raised against the mob, the courage 

to overcome fear with convictions as true as steel. CLAUDIA ALTA

TAYLOR, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, served the beauty in nature and the 

beauty in us, and right down to the end of her long and bountiful 

life, she inspired us to serve them, too. 

Nicole Covert 

My name is Nicole Nugent Covert and I am the third grandchild 

of CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR JOHNSON, aka LADY BIRD JOHNSON, First 

Lady, Wildflower Lady but known to her family as just Nini. My 

role here today is to share with you a little insight on one of the 

many titles that my grandmother had. Yes, it is true that she 

served our country lovingly and dutifully as First Lady. It is also 

true that she was devoted to her precious daughters, Lynda and 

Luci. The dedication and loyalty that ran and will continue to run 

amongst the three of them are such strong ones that I too can only 

hope that I share that same experience with my mother, siblings, 

and children. 

I would like to think that her favorite role was that of grandmother. There will never be another Nini. In my youth there were 

times that we were to be seen and not heard. In my childhood 

there was a children’s table—I might also add that it was in the 

kitchen at the ranch—far enough away from the dining room so 

that the grown ups wouldn’t be disturbed. In my youth, Christmas 

at the ranch was the biggest deal—still is—even to the grown ups. 

In my youth, there were trips to exotic countries and discoveries 

of a whole new world. 

Fast forward 20 years. The day was October 24, 1995, Nini’s first 

great grandchild, Tatum Rebekah Nugent, discovered America. November 14, 1996, Johnson Saunders Covert became her first great 

grandson. Only to be followed by Taylor Baines Nugent, Claudia 

Robinson Covert, Eloise Patrick Turpin McIntosh, Tucker William 

Thomas McIntosh, Luci Bella Rogers McIntosh, Sophia Baines 

Brod, Isabella Taylor Brod and finally Madeline Taylor Florio. This 

is when I think that Nini found that her most favorite role was 

that of great grandmother. There was no longer a children’s table—

they sat at the table usually right next to Nini so that she could 

lii Memorial Services 

see them. The banging of pots and pans for a marching band parade were encouraged—by Nini. Christmas time at the ranch was 

just like it was when the President was alive—presents everywhere 

and great grandchildren putting on a Christmas pageant. The trips 

and discoveries now took place at the LBJ Ranch or looking at 

wildflowers. Nini loved swimming with the children. Nini loved 

showing them every square inch of the ranch. Nini loved just 

watching them—all with their beguiling smiles! She exposed all of 

us to a better world filled with the most amazing people. 

As many of you know, Nini was the best letter writer. Not only 

in her abundance of letters but also in her words. So today I will 

read you a letter that I have written to Nini telling her about all 

of the wonderful things her great grandchildren remember about 

her. 

Dearest Nini, 

Oh my how I wish you were still here to see your most precious 

great grandchildren. I know that all of them loved you the mostest. 

When I asked the great grands what they loved most about you or 

their favorite memory of you, this is what I got: 

Tatum, 11—I loved going to the ranch on Sundays so I could help 

Poppi and spend time with Nini. I know how much Nini loved 

being at the ranch and I loved being there with her. I will never 

forget when she came to read to my kindergarten class. 

Johnson, 10—I’ll never forget the dinner I shared with Nini and 

Coach Royal after UT [University of Texas] won the National 

Championship. I will miss lying on Nini’s bed as she stroked her 

fingers through my hair. She loved my hair! I loved how Nini 

would come to my games. She even got to come to my championship baseball game. I love baseball but not as much as I love my 

Nini. 

Taylor, 9—I loved how Nini would come to our camp closings at 

Mystic! I loved how Nini would always treasure anything that I 

gave to her. She even liked my scribbles when I was little. 

Claudia, almost 9—my most favorite memory of Nini is when I 

dressed up as her at school to do my biography and she came to 

watch. Everyone thought it was so neat that the person I did my 

report on showed up! I also loved having sleepovers with my Nini. 

Eloise, 7—I loved being able to read ‘‘Little House on the Prairie’’

to Nini while she lay in bed. I also love telling the story of that 

when Nini could no longer speak, Tucker declared that he was 

going to find her lost voice. 

Tucker, 6—I loved playing the guitar for Nini and watching her 

clap and smile the best that she could. Her favorite song of mine 

was ‘‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.’’

Lady Bird Johnson liii 

Luci Bella, 3—I loved it most when Nini would give me hugs and 

kisses. 

Sophia Baines, 3—I told Nini that it was OK that she was old—

just like my doggy Bruno. 

On Wednesday night after Nini had passed, Sophia asked me 

where Nini was and I told her that she was in heaven—and she 

looked at me and said ‘‘you mean like the Bahamas!’’

Isabella Taylor and Madeline Taylor’s parents have helped in 

their favorite memory with Nini. 

Isabella’s took place last Monday night when she leaned over 

Nini to kiss her goodnight and she told Nini ‘‘night night Nini’’ and 

blew her a kiss. 

Madeline’s parents will be forever grateful that at Madeline’s 

baptism at the LBJ Ranch Nini was able to sign the cross on 

Madeline’s forehead. 

Nini, these children were so lucky to have had the opportunity 

to share in your life. No one could have asked for a better role 

model. You have led by example and I know that these 10, soon 

to be 11, great grandchildren will follow in your footsteps. 

Nini, I could never put into words or pick one special memory. 

I will miss seeing your smile and big bright eyes. I will miss the 

drivebys that I would do with the kids in our pajamas. I will miss 

seeing the look on your face when John would read to you about 

baseball and basketball. I will miss spending weekends and birthdays at the ranch. I will miss Lyndon trying to convince you once 

more to take a helicopter ride with him. I will miss the ear that 

you would lend and the guidance that you would give—especially 

reminding Brent and me to take care of each other. I will miss the 

confusion that everyone else has when we would talk about the 

three Claudias and the two Nicoles. I will miss seeing the excitement in your eyes whenever a grandchild or great grandchild 

would call you. But, most of all I will just miss you. 

Nini, I feel so blessed to have been a part of your life. You have 

enriched me, encouraged me, believed in me, been there for me, but 

most of all you have loved me. 

Night Night Nini—sleep tight! 

I love you! 

Lucinda Robb 

My grandmother was wonderfully pragmatic, candid, and funny. 

She once told my mother that if she’d known how her life was 

going to turn out, she’d have done two things differently: She 

would have gotten a nose job, and she would have insisted people 

call her by her real name, CLAUDIA. 

liv Memorial Services 

I can’t say anything about the former. I thought she was beautiful, and I loved the way she looked, and the way she smelled, and 

how it felt to hold her, but I think her nickname stuck so strongly 

because it fit her so well. Despite some early confusion among the 

British about the possibility of a Lord Bird, the name worked because she reflected all the very best ideals about what it is to be 

a lady. 

There’s never been a piece about her that didn’t describe her graciousness, and that isn’t a word that is much thrown around these 

days outside of Southern Living magazine. But she was gracious. 

I have two examples of her graciousness. I had two grandmothers, but only one of them is famous. From time to time they 

would both attend the various milestones of their grandchildren’s 

lives, and my Grandmother JOHNSON, without being obvious or 

doing anything you could precisely pinpoint, would always make 

sure that any courtesy, any honor or sign of respect paid to her 

would be equally extended to my Grandmother Robb. It was the 

way she treated people. 

The second example is I remember hearing that Barry Goldwater 

was coming to speak at the LBJ Library. I was younger then, and 

for some reason thought that Grandmother JOHNSON might not 

want to attend. She said, ‘‘Oh, no, that’s not right. I’m so glad he 

is coming to speak, but I don’t want to be there. It might make him 

feel uncomfortable if he sees me sitting in the front row. I want 

him to say what is on his mind, and if he sees me, he might not 

speak freely.’’ So my grandmother did not attend his speech, but 

she graciously hosted a special dinner in his honor afterward at the 

LBJ Library. 

My grandmother was the most quietly confident, least needy person I have ever known. She had so many people she loved and 

cared deeply about, but she didn’t require anything from you. So 

many times we need other people to do something to make us 

happy. We need them to give us a job, to admit us into their school 

or club, to give us recognition, or approval, or favors. Sometimes we 

just need them to hurry up and do their God-given duty and give 

you grandchildren! 

She didn’t need anybody to do anything to make her happy. She 

rejoiced and shared in your accomplishments, large and small, but 

she didn’t require anything from you. She was well grounded, and 

literally drew her comfort and strength from the natural world 

around her, only needed a little more rain, or a little less rain, in 

the hill country of Texas. 

Paradoxically, because she didn’t ask anything from you, it made 

you want to do good things for her, to make her happy. My grandfather was famous for his persuasive abilities, for the Johnson 

Lady Bird Johnson lv 

treatment. She was his equal in influence, I suspect, but we’ll 

never entirely know, because her touch, while mightily effective, 

was so light. She believed in, and appealed to, the best of people, 

to allow them to rise to the occasion. 

Perhaps the key to her success was that she really didn’t care 

who got the credit. She was just going to applaud your good deeds. 

Growing up in Washington and in the political arena, a willingness 

to forfeit credit is a rare quality to say the least. It took a lot of 

work convincing her to change the name of the National Wildflower 

Research Center to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and 

in the end, they only succeeded by appealing to her pragmatism. 

They told her she’d raise a lot more money for the cause with that 

name. 

Late last night my sisters and I went to go see the tower which 

the President of UT [University of Texas] had lit up in her honor. 

After the first spot we drove to didn’t give us a very good view, we 

decided to go over to the LBJ Library. I was pretty cranky at this 

point. It’s hot, I’m pregnant, you mean I have to get out and walk! 

Fortunately, my sisters inherited far more of my grandmother’s 

good nature, and they managed to persuade me out of the car. And 

I’m glad they did. The tower was a glorious orange, but far more 

rewarding was the sight of hundreds of people streaming toward 

the entrance of the library to pay their last respects. It was past 

midnight, and they came in singly and in groups, some with children who should have been asleep. They had come to say goodbye 

to a lady they loved. 

Catherine Lewis Robb 

My grandmother was a beautiful person who spread that beauty 

to everything and everyone around her. I know that you all are familiar with her beautification efforts, to preserve the natural beauty of this wonderful world and to plant wildflowers on everything 

that wasn’t moving fast enough to get away. Like many of you, I 

see the fruits of her efforts and dreams every day, when I run 

along the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail in the mornings, when 

I bike in the hill country or just when I drive down the road. In 

fact, I frequently find myself whispering ‘‘Thank you, Nini’’ as I 

run, or bike, or drive. 

But, just as often, I think of her other beautification efforts, and 

that was the beautification of the human spirit and of humanity. 

Just as she was planting wildflowers and trees and cleaning up the 

highways, she was planting kindness and generosity, and grace. To 

me, her other beautification effort was in planting the fruits of the 

lvi Memorial Services 

spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, fidelity, 

gentleness, self control. 

So often, when I would bring friends to the ranch or would just 

have visitors in her presence, I heard from them again and again 

how very gracious and welcoming and warm she was. She made 

every person she encountered feel as if they were so very, very 

wanted at that exact moment. It was as if there was nothing that 

could make her happier than seeing you right then. And, not only 

did she make you feel special, but she made you want to make others know how special they were, too. It was as if her grace and 

kindness just washed off onto you when you came near. She made 

you want to be more kind and generous and gracious. 

This same sharing of her spirit of grace and love, and joy, and 

kindness was evident in those close to her. We saw it in the faces 

and words of friends and family, of those with whom she worked, 

of the ranch staff and her agents, and more recently, her caregivers, all of whom were there loving and supporting not only her, 

but all of us and each other in Nini’s final tender moments on this 

earth. These fruits of the Spirit have been planted in all of us. 

My Nini and I have had a standing Tuesday night dinner date 

for the past 8 years. Although in more recent years we spent most 

of our Tuesdays staying in and talking or reading, for many years 

we went out to restaurants. Often, people would come over for a 

quick second to say hello and express their appreciation for something our Nini had done or just for being the person she was and 

she would thank them for their kindness. Quite often, as we were 

leaving the restaurant, we would pass a table and hear voices call 

out ‘‘Thank you, LADY BIRD’’ or ‘‘We love you LADY BIRD.’’ That was 

her spirit. She caused people to break out into spontaneous thank 

yous and I love yous. What a wonderful thing. 

So, Nini, I will miss you every Tuesday. And more. And, I thank 

you for all of your beautification efforts of every kind. 

I hope that all who love her will work to beautify the land and 

beautify the spirit and make both wildflowers and ‘‘I love yous’’

flourish all over this world she so loved. 

Lynda Robb 

Mother, you gave voice many times to the hope we would celebrate as we remembered you. Right now, that is a tough assignment. 

You know I’ll always honor you, rejoice in being your daughter 

and tell the funny tales that made you laugh, but in my heart I 

didn’t ever want you to go. 

Lady Bird Johnson lvii 

And yet we gather to send you off on what you always called 

your ‘‘final great adventure,’’ but at 94 you put it off as long as you 

could. We had time together to relish sweet days, to welcome my 

first grandbaby, and to make oh, so many memories. 

But we knew the day would come. I always told you that so 

many would want to celebrate with you that you would have to arrange for a spring farewell so the weather would cooperate. 

‘‘It can’t be spring’’ you said. ‘‘Because I don’t want to miss the 

wildflowers.’’ Mother, this was our best spring for wildflowers ever. 

I told everyone who would listen that I just couldn’t speak at 

your funeral. Not only would your death devastate me, but I’d be 

losing my best friend. And you were my best friend. I could tell you 

my secrets, my fears, my dreams, prefaced with ‘‘I’m telling you 

this as my best friend not as my mother’’ and count on your counsel as a friend. 

Mother, you always thought of everything as a big adventure—

a mantra you instilled in us. It was very good advice when we had 

to do something we didn’t find appealing. 

Your spirit revealed itself at an early age. At 13, you drove by 

yourself from East Texas to Alabama. As a teenager, you were 

unafraid to hop into a rickety biplane. 

Along with your love of adventure was your puritan work ethic, 

something you tried to give all of us. I am not sure you ever 

learned to do ‘‘nothing,’’ to just play. Everything needed a purpose. 

In the White House days I would have to kidnap you and drag you 

away from your duties so we could have a fun lunch at the Jockey 

Club or visit a new exhibit at the National Gallery. You would do 

it only for my sake. 

The Great Depression left a deep impact on you, Mother, resulting in another of your legendary qualities—your frugality. We 

teased you about it unmercifully. Daddy used to say he couldn’t 

reach you because ‘‘you were out shopping trying to save 10 cents 

on a can of beans!’’ You wanted to get three bids for everything. 

You wanted to hold on until 2010 so we wouldn’t have to pay the 

estate tax. 

Later in life, when you thought it frivolous to spend money on 

yourself, you justified the expense by inviting friends and family to 

go with you on your trips. Daddy had long ago accused you of having one foot in the middle of the big road, and from the Galapagos 

Islands to the wilds of Africa your footsteps and zest for adventure 

never faltered. 

One trip was especially unforgettable. You rented a French chateau and treated your guests to a once-in-a-lifetime visit. It was 

most memorable because it turned out there was only one bathroom for all 15 of us. 

lviii Memorial Services 

One of your biggest adventures started before I was born when 

Daddy propelled you headlong into politics. 

At the start, it was an unglamorous role comprised mainly of 

making sure Daddy had enough clean, ironed shirts and calling everyone in the phone book starting with the A’s, to ask for their vote 

for Daddy. 

When Chuck became a candidate for public office, I asked you 

what you had done to help Daddy. ‘‘Most important,’’ you said, ‘‘I 

followed behind him telling everyone thank you.’’

In the early years, you sat quietly during his campaign speeches, 

smiling, and sometimes giving Daddy the sign that he was going 

on too long. Soon, at Daddy’s prodding, you, a reluctant, shy speaker, went out on your own, campaigning. It didn’t take long for you 

to realize that politics was part of the poetry of democracy. 

And as your platform for change grew you were able to lobby for 

the causes dear to your own heart. Your love of nature, born from 

barefoot steps deep in the East Texas woods, found a voice in your 

tireless work for nationwide beautification. Your political courage 

as Daddy’s eyes and ears took you through the South on the Lady 

Bird Special. 

Later, at 70, in the self-described happy hour of your life, came 

the living tribute to your idea of ‘‘paying rent for the space you 

took up’’ on this earth. Your lifetime of advocacy for clean roadside 

views, for the beauty of nature, for sweet wildflowers, or as you 

called them ‘‘weeds without press agents’’ manifested in the creation of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 

You found deep joy in nature, in almost every aspect of life, and 

oh, how you loved Luci and me. You spoke of the summer of 1947 

when Luci was born as being particularly happy. You painted the 

scene for us—sitting on the screened porch with the two of us looking out on a succession of colorful flowers and the victory garden. 

It gave you the feeling of time standing still and of being under a 

spell of idyllic contentment. 

Following your stroke in 2002, it became our turn to care for you, 

as you had for us. Family nearby you in Texas showered you with 

love and attention. I envied our daughter, Catherine, because she 

had a date with you every night for over 8 years, with you, Nini. 

Our daughter, Lucinda, planned a Texas wedding at the Wildflower 

Center so you could be there. And our youngest, Jennifer, took last 

year off from her job as a public school math teacher to be close 

to you here in Austin. 

Luci’s proximity to you was also to become one of my richest 

blessings. Her children and grandchildren surrounded you with 

constant love. Luci’s tender care of Momma when she could no 

Lady Bird Johnson lix 

longer care for herself was born of the purest essence of love. Luci 

has earned her own place in heaven. 

As you moved through your eighties, Mother, you portrayed your 

life as relishing every day, feeling like a jug into which rich wine 

is poured until it is full to the top and overflowing. 

One of your ministers described you as being a vessel of God’s 

perfect love. Your love for Him, like that jug of wine, was full to 

the top and it spilled over to bless your family and friends and 

those all across the country. 

Mother, the angels are here to receive you now. As you always 

told us, ‘‘know you are loved.’’

Luci Baines Johnson 

Mother would want me to thank each of you for coming today 

and I want to let you in on a secret—you were all her favorites! 

Once I asked my mother ‘‘how do you want to be remembered?’’

She replied in her usual self-effacing way, ‘‘Well, I made a lot of 

little lists and scratched them off.’’

Little lists, were my mother’s constant companions. 

Campaign schedules, thank you lists and an ever-growing Christmas list. Her lists were for community causes, businesses, and family, but they were all lists to serve others. 

Sometimes I’d say ‘‘Can’t we take time off from duty for just a 

few days?’’

She couldn’t. 

Duty was her oxygen. But she didn’t seem to feel the burden of 

duty, only the calling. 

In the final years Mother let me cross her lists off. Often I would 

make a speech or host an event for her. While I could be her representative I knew there was no substitute for LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

I will always be especially grateful to my husband Ian for quietly 

helping Mother with her lists in big ways and small—managing 

our business, serving her Wildflower Center, and reading to her on 

ranch weekends. 

We never succeeded entirely at weaning Mamma from the lists 

but aging became our ally. She finally gave herself permission to 

just spend time delighting in family. 

Mother always said ‘‘Life can be separated into categories, the ‘if 

only’s and aren’t we grateful’.’’

One of the most profound ‘‘if only’s’’ was the shortness of Daddy’s 

life. She was barely 60 when Daddy died. 

Mother, for the greatest inheritance one can ever know—parents 

who adored each other until death I’m forever grateful. 

lx Memorial Services 

When Lyndon, Nicole, Rebekah, and Claudia were young I asked 

Mother if she would take them sometime on an adventure without 

their siblings. 

She tailor made an individual trip for each of them from the 

beaches of Kitty Hawk to the redwoods of California to the museums and theater of New York City! These trips meant the world 

to my children and to me. 

But perhaps Mother’s greatest gift to all her grandchildren occurred when she inculcated them with the desire to be involved 

and caring citizens by giving them a Christmas check for the charity of their choice. 

They returned her love by working for causes she held dear in 

the environment, education, health care, and social justice, and 

with regular loving calls and visits. 

Mother, for widening our world through travel, for teaching us 

life’s greatest joy is found in giving our family is forever grateful. 

The grandchildren say those who describe their grandmother in 

only gracious terms never played cards with her. 

Nini, for your merry and mischievous spirit we are forever grateful! 

Until the day Mamma went to heaven her passion was the 

Wildflower Center. She loved the natural world feeling a keen responsibility to nurture it as it had nurtured her. Family always 

said if you want Nini to carry your picture in her wallet make sure 

you get it taken in the wildflowers! 

Mother, for your commitment to what you believed in, our world 

is more beautiful and we’re forever grateful. 

Mother maintained a close relationship with her employees. 

James Davis worked for her nearly 50 years and Mamma said 

‘‘when James Davis goes I’ll go.’’ Staff was family for Mamma, and 

she was family for them. My parents had no former staff, just 

former paid staff. Every foreign trip and Christmas Mother gave 

her Secret Service a party. 

She respected them professionally and cared about them personally. For nearly half a century they were with her and they stand 

steadfast still by her side. Would Mother’s staff and secret service 

past and present stand so I can thank them as Mother always did? 

For your lessons in loyalty, Mother, we’re all forever grateful. 

The last years of Mamma’s life Lynda called daily traveling half 

way across the country monthly for long and loving visits. She was 

Mamma’s first born—her kindred spirit, her link to the Washington world Mother loved. They just don’t make more devoted 

daughters than Lynda. 

For being there for Mamma and for me, Lynda, I’m forever grateful. 

Lady Bird Johnson lxi 

Tragically, strokes stilled Mamma’s eloquent voice, failing sight 

kept this most literate of women from reading and atrial fibrillation sapped her boundless energy. 

But we were fortunate to have the most able and faithful doctors, 

nurses, and caregivers to help ease these traumas. Would you all 

please stand so we can thank you from the bottom of our hearts? 

My last years with Mamma were magical. We spent a part of 

nearly every day together. No longer on a public stage we made 

private times we both hungered for. I had so much fun reading to 

her, retreating to the ranch, widening our worlds at the LBJ Library, wheeling her around Town Lake and the Wildflower Center 

where countless members of her fan club stopped to thank her, or 

simply giving her bedside nursing care. 

I teased her saying ‘‘Mother 35 years later you’re finally getting 

a return on your investment in sending me to nursing school.’’

She’d laugh from her head to her toes. 

Because of Mother my reading list was more worthy, my conversations were more substantive, I exercised more often. I was always learning. 

A few weeks before Mother died, I was taking visiting relatives 

to the extraordinary Blanton Art Museum. Mother was on IV antibiotics, a feeding tube, and oxygen but she wasn’t going to let that 

deter her from discovering another great art museum. What a picture we were literally rolling through the museum like a mobile 

hospital. 

Every Sunday Mother’s faithful priest’s visit began with communion and ended with Mother’s applause. Mamma had so much 

to be frustrated about but she never lost her temper or her 

thoughtfulness for others. My church preaches the concept of grace. 

Mother exemplified it. 

One of Mother’s favorite comforts was a 5-year-old great grandchild’s recording singing and playing ‘‘He’s Gotza Whole World in 

His Hands.’’ Mother seemed to have the whole world in her hands 

too, teaching me by example not only how to live but how to die. 

For these lessons in faith, Mother I will be forever grateful. 

CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, First Lady, Mother, 

Aunt Bird, Nini or sometimes to children simply ‘‘Mother Nature’’—a woman with many names and many roles. 

Mamma, by any name, we all will be forever grateful for you. 

It seems right for Mother’s eloquent words to be my last. The 

night we returned permanently to Texas from the White House 

Mother wrote in her diary and I quote, ‘‘A little past 9, I went to 

bed, with a line of poetry reeling through my mind. I think it’s 

from India’s Love Lyrics, ‘I seek to celebrate my glad release, The 

Tents of Silence and the Camp of Peace.’ And yet it’s not quite the 

lxii Memorial Services 

right exit line for me because I have loved almost every day of 

these 5 years.’’

There is a hole in all our hearts as we finally release you, Mother, for we have loved every moment with you. 

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

TO

FIRST LADY

LADY BIRD JOHNSON 

(3) 

PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE 

TRIBUTES BY SENATORS 

WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2007 

The Honorable Harry Reid of Nevada 

Madam President, inside this desk is the name Johnson of Texas, 

majority leader. That, of course, is the signature of Lyndon Johnson, who was majority leader, Vice President of the United States, 

President of the United States. I have the honor of being able to 

work from this desk. 

Lyndon Johnson is a legend from the great State of Texas, the 

Lone Star State. He was a Member of Congress, U.S. Senator, majority leader, Vice President, and the 36th President of the United 

States. But just as important, for those who know anything about 

Lyndon Johnson, were not these honors that were bestowed upon 

him by others but the fact that he married a wonderful woman, 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

What a name, LADY BIRD JOHNSON. Anytime you read about 

Lyndon Johnson, you have to understand the power of his wife. 

Caro’s book, ‘‘Master of the Senate,’’ has a lot in it about LADY

BIRD JOHNSON. 

My wife understands, I am sure, a little bit about what she went 

through. In the book, it describes how he would bring people home 

with little notice for dinner, and it was always available. Mr. Rayburn, the Speaker, came to their home at least once a week for dinner, many times unannounced except by the President calling at 

the last minute. 

Today, America has lost this great woman. The greatest asset 

Lyndon Johnson had was his wife. I join my colleagues and all 

Americans in tribute to this great American woman. 

I did not have the good fortune to know LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

She died today at age 94. But those who did know her said if you 

were to look up in the dictionary the term ‘‘lady,’’ you would find 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s picture. She truly stereotyped a lady. 

I believe it is fair to say that you did not have to know LADY

BIRD JOHNSON—I did not—to admire her for the causes she championed. 

4 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

As I said briefly, I have my own special appreciation for Mrs. 

JOHNSON because I have some idea of what Landra, my wife, puts 

up with being married to the majority leader. 

He was a domineering personality, her husband. She was, during 

all of the domination he had—with his poking Senators in the chest 

and the things he is now legendary for doing—she was always the 

same graceful woman no matter the situation she found herself in. 

She was the same person no matter what the situation. She served 

during challenging, extraordinary times. President Johnson went 

through some very difficult times. She was always at his side. 

She did not ask for the role of First Lady, but she embraced that 

role with grace and dignity. 

As First Lady, she was instrumental in the Highway Beautification Act, which came to be known as ‘‘Lady Bird’s bill.’’ She had 

many other initiatives that enhanced our natural world. She was 

a champion for children with programs such as Head Start. Later 

in life, her passion continued, most notably in her work opening 

the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center outside Austin, TX, 

where she will lie before reaching her final resting place at the 

Johnson family ranch in Stonewall, TX. 

I can think of no better tribute to LADY BIRD JOHNSON than to 

close with her own words. She said once: 

Some may wonder why I chose wildflowers when there is hunger and unemployment and the big bomb in the world. 

Well, I, for one, think we will survive, and I hope that along the way we 

can keep alive our experience with the flowering earth. For the bounty of 

nature is also one of the deep needs of man. 

My thoughts and warm feelings are with her two daughters, 

Lynda, whom I know quite well, and Luci, whom I know of, and, 

of course, Lynda’s husband, our former colleague, Chuck Robb—

who served with such dignity in the Senate. I had the good fortune 

of being able to serve with this wonderful Senator, great Governor 

of the State of Virginia, an extraordinary, gallant marine—and Ian, 

Luci’s husband, and LADY BIRD’s many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, all of whom she loved as only a mother and grandmother could love. 

The Honorable Lamar Alexander of Tennessee 

Mr. President, I would like to say a word about LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

We have had many graceful First Ladies in the United States, 

but LADY BIRD JOHNSON can truly be said to have been the First 

Lady of America the Beautiful. Her husband used to joke that he 

would hear rustling in the hall at the White House. It would be, 

Lady Bird Johnson 5 

as he would say, LADY BIRD and Laurance Rockefeller meeting to 

work on conservation projects. Her legacy was the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. She understood that we have a great many 

important issues in our country but that one of our great characteristics is the beauty of our country. Italy has its art, Egypt has its 

pyramids, and we have the great American outdoors. LADY BIRD

JOHNSON knew that for everybody—not just the wealthy with big 

homes and big lawns—the beauty of our country was something to 

preserve. She did that, and she changed our entire national attitude about its importance. She brought out the best in us in terms 

of appreciating the beauty of America. 

I visited the Wildflower Center in Austin, TX, before. I have seen 

the bluebonnets there in the spring, and I have seen how she influenced the flowers to grow in the rights-of-way on Texas highways. 

They even adopted the motto in Texas, ‘‘Don’t mess with Texas.’’

I am sure that is a legacy of LADY BIRD JOHNSON as well. But not 

only did flowers begin to grow along the rights-of-way in Texas, 

they did in Tennessee and in a lot of other places—in States such 

as Colorado. LADY BIRD JOHNSON has made her mark in our country. 

Our family had the privilege of knowing the Johnsons and especially Lynda and Luci—Lynda married Chuck Robb, a former Senator. We were good friends. We spent many times together at Governors’ conferences, and our children know one another. We express to Lynda and Luci and that family our sympathies. We know 

they have great pride in their mother as well as their father. But 

we think of their mother tonight as we think of her as the First 

Lady of America the Beautiful and remember her contributions. 

The Honorable Ken Salazar of Colorado 

Madam President, let me say I join with the majority leader in 

sending our condolences to the Johnson family and in remembering 

the great life LADY BIRD JOHNSON lived and the contributions she 

made to our Nation. . . . 

THURSDAY, July 12, 2007 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today’s opening prayer will be offered by the guest Chaplain, Mr. Rajan Zed of the Indian Association of Northern Nevada. 

6 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

PRAYER 

The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer: 

Let us pray. 

We meditate on the transcendental Glory of the Deity Supreme, 

who is inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the sky, and 

inside the soul of the Heaven. May He stimulate and illuminate 

our minds. 

Lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and 

from death to immortality. May we be protected together. May we 

be nourished together. May we work together with great vigor. May 

our study be enlightening. May no obstacle arise between us. 

May the Senators strive constantly to serve the welfare of the 

world, performing their duties with the welfare of others always in 

mind, because by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme 

goal of life. May they work carefully and wisely, guided by compassion and without thought for themselves. 

United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be as 

one, that you may long dwell in unity and concord. 

Peace, peace, peace be unto all. 

Lord, we ask You to comfort the family of former First Lady, 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

Amen. 

The Honorable Mitch McConnell of Kentucky 

Mr. President, when LADY BIRD TAYLOR met the man she would 

marry in fall 1934, her first reaction was to pull back. ‘‘Lyndon 

came on very strong,’’ she said. ‘‘My instinct was to withdraw.’’

And when an assassin’s bullet thrust her into the national spotlight on another fall day in 1963, she withdrew again. America remembers this remarkable woman for the quiet dignity with which 

she let a Nation and a stricken wife mourn the loss of a President 

they loved. And our first reaction to her in those days of mourning 

was gratitude. 

Now we mourn her passing, after a long tumultuous life that was 

marked above all by quiet service and a love of beauty. 

She was nothing like her husband. 

Lyndon Johnson was an overpowering figure who filled up every 

room he entered. His personality still reverberates through these 

walls. But he always knew what he needed to get ahead in life, and 

he saw in LADY BIRD the tact and gentility he saw lacking in himself. 

He asked her to marry him on their first date. 

Lady Bird Johnson 7 

And soon the aspiring politician would marry this shy and pretty 

rancher’s daughter. Sam Rayburn said it was the best thing Lyndon Johnson ever did. 

LADY BIRD brought a deep love of nature from east Texas to the 

White House, and she shared it with America. Residents and tourists in Washington have her to thank for the natural beauty that 

surrounds us here and that makes us proud to call this city our 

Nation’s Capital. 

Millions of travelers and commuters have her to thank for the 

flowers that line our roads. The blues, reds, and yellows that light 

up America’s highways are a living, lasting legacy to the woman 

who guided the Highway Beautification Act into law. 

A friend to every First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt, LADY BIRD

JOHNSON stepped out of the national spotlight as quietly as she 

stepped into it, again respecting the national mood at another painful moment in our history. 

She outlived her famous husband by more than three decades, 

and we didn’t hear or see much of her over the years. But she’d 

remind us from time to time that she was still here, quietly accepting an honor for her husband or launching some good environmental work. And we were always glad to see her. She became for 

us a kind of living assurance that beauty and grace outlive tragedy 

and loss. 

We will miss her. We mourn with her daughters, Lynda and 

Luci, and their families. And we join them in honoring a very good 

American life that was spent in generous service to family and 

country. 

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas 

Mr. President, I rise to celebrate the life of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

She was one of the most beloved First Ladies in our Nation’s history. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON represented the best of Texas and the best 

of America. Since the days that I attended the University of Texas 

with her daughter Lynda, I have known and admired LADY BIRD

JOHNSON. I knew her as a woman of dignity, kindness, and graciousness. 

Through the years, I have also come to know Luci, one of the 

most thoughtful people I have ever met. And, of course, most of us 

in the Senate know Lynda and her husband Chuck Robb, a former 

Senator from Virginia. 

CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR JOHNSON was a Texas original. She was 

born in Karnack, TX, on December 22, 1912. During her infancy, 

a nursemaid commented, ‘‘She’s as pretty as a lady bird,’’ and that 

8 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

nickname virtually replaced her given name of CLAUDIA ALTA for 

the rest of her life. 

LADY BIRD graduated from Marshall High School in Marshall, 

TX, studied journalism and history at St. Mary’s Episcopal School 

for Girls, and graduated from the University of Texas. 

In 1934, she married Lyndon Baines Johnson, another young, 

smalltown Texan, who would go on to serve our State in the U.S. 

House and Senate and then our country as Vice President and 

later as President of the United States. 

In her role as First Lady, LADY BIRD shared her love of the outdoors with the American people, becoming the strongest advocate 

for improving our public spaces. She was instrumental in promoting the Highway Beautification Act, which enhanced the Nation’s highway system by limiting billboards and planting roadside 

areas. I will never pass wildflowers on a median of a highway without thinking of her. She was also a champion of the Head Start 

Program. 

Even after her husband left office in 1969, she remained active 

in public life and especially in Texas. She served on the University 

of Texas board of regents. On December 22, 1982—her 70th birthday—she and Helen Hayes founded the National Wildflower Research Center, a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and 

reintroducing native plants in planned landscapes at the University of Texas. In 1998, that center was officially renamed the Lady 

Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 

As the U.S. Senator from LADY BIRD’s home State, I have consistently worked to strengthen and promote her outstanding legacy. 

Over the years, I have worked to preserve the LBJ office in the 

Jake Pickle Building in Austin and to add the Lady Bird Johnson 

Plaza to the LBJ Library. 

In fall 2006, LADY BIRD joined me at a groundbreaking ceremony 

for the new plaza. She was radiant that day. The renovation is still 

in progress and has now been scheduled to finish by August 2008—

just in time for what would have been Lyndon’s 100th birthday. 

The plaza will be graced by wildflowers which will serve as a tribute to LADY BIRD’s love of nature. Each wildflower will represent 

the lifework of a beautiful woman who will always have a special 

place in the hearts of the people who knew her. 

I am proud, as a Texan, that this Texas lady represented the 

best of our Nation. My thoughts and prayers are with LADY BIRD’s 

family—especially her daughters Lynda and Luci. We all mourn 

her passing, but we should also celebrate this remarkable woman’s 

life. 

Lady Bird Johnson 9 

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein of California 

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to LADY BIRD JOHNSON, 

one of our Nation’s most beloved former First Ladies. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a conservationist, an enthusiastic political wife, a shrewd businesswoman, and the loving grandmother of 

a close-knit family. 

But she will be best remembered for her efforts to make America 

a more beautiful country. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was born CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR to her parents near Karnack, TX, in 1912. Legend has it that she received 

the quaint nickname when a nursemaid exclaimed that the young 

CLAUDIA was ‘‘as purty as a lady bird.’’

At a very early age, she expressed an interest in the environment, and in particular, wildflowers—which would become a lifelong passion. 

A graduate of the University of Texas, LADY BIRD received a 

bachelor of arts in history in 1933 and a bachelor of journalism in 

1934. 

It was in Austin where she met her future husband, Lyndon 

Baines Johnson. The connection between the two was electric—

after a whirlwind romance and courtship, the two were married in 

November 1934. 

LADY BIRD was a loyal and tireless supporter during her husband’s political career—usually behind the scenes—from Congressman to Senator, from Senate majority leader to Vice President, and 

finally, on that fateful day in 1963, as the 36th President of the 

United States. 

And it is her accomplishments as First Lady that distinguished 

LADY BIRD as visionary. 

LADY BIRD brought a dash of Texas hospitality and genteel 

charm to the White House during those first dark days of the Johnson administration, as the Nation struggled to recover from the 

tragedy of the Kennedy assassination. 

A life-long lover of the environment, LADY BIRD JOHNSON is best 

known for the Beautification Act of 1965, which is widely credited 

as the Lady Bird Act. The legislation encouraged efforts to make 

the Nation’s interstate system more scenic and limited billboards 

that could be posted along roadways. 

So as millions of American families go on summer vacations, they 

can thank LADY BIRD JOHNSON for the beautiful wildflowers that 

bloom along the highways. 

It was the first of a major legislative effort undertaken by a First 

Lady—and helped to transform the very nature of the Office of the 

First Lady. 

10 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

LADY BIRD began her beautification efforts with the ‘‘First Lady’s 

Committee for a More Beautiful Capital’’ in 1965. 

Although it is largely known that the First Lady worked to have 

flower beds and dogwood trees planted throughout the Capitol, 

LADY BIRD also worked to address more urban societal concerns 

here in the District of Columbia, such as crime, public transportation, mental health and recreation. 

And to LADY BIRD, beautification meant much more—it embodied 

a deep commitment to the conservation of this country’s natural resources. 

In her own words, it meant: ‘‘clean water, clean air, clean roadsides, safe waste disposal and preservation of valued old landmarks, as well as great parks and wilderness areas.’’

As First Lady, she was often considered a ‘‘shadow Secretary of 

the Interior.’’

When the White House Conference on Natural Beauty was convened in May 1966, LADY BIRD kicked off the conference proceedings by asking this important question: 

Can a great democratic society generate the drive to plan, and having 

planned, execute projects of great natural beauty? 

And thanks in part to her efforts, the Johnson administration 

helped to oversee some 150 legislative accomplishments for the environment, including: The Clean Air Act; The Wilderness Act of 

1964; The Land and Water Conservation Fund; The Wild and Scenic Rivers Program; and numerous additions to the National Park 

system. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON helped to ensure protection of some of 

America’s finest natural treasures, including the Grand Canyon, 

the Hudson River Valley, and perhaps closest to my heart, the majestic California Redwoods. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was also closely involved in President Johnson’s civil rights efforts and his Great Society campaign, particularly on the Head Start Program. 

She helped to ensure that low-income youngsters are given the 

opportunities they need to compete fairly and equally when they 

enter elementary school. 

So she truly left her stamp as a First Lady. 

After leaving the White House in 1969, LADY BIRD turned her attention once again to wildflowers. She was instrumental in launching the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982, which was 

later renamed in her honor. 

The center has been central to helping preserve many species of 

wildflowers and plants, which are increasingly sensitive to the 

challenges of climate change. In fact, today, some 30 percent of the 

world’s wildflowers and other native flora are endangered. 

Lady Bird Johnson 11 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was one of America’s finest citizens. And 

she was recognized as such. In 1977, the former First Lady was 

presented with America’s highest civilian award, the Medal of 

Freedom, by President Gerald Ford. And in 1988, she received the 

Congressional Gold Medal from President Ronald Reagan. 

As Laurance Rockefeller aptly stated when LADY BIRD was 

awarded the Conservation Award for Lifetime Achievement in 

1977: 

She’s a role model for leadership responsibility for women. That’s a big 

part of her legacy, above and beyond the environment. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON will be very much missed. And I offer my 

personal and deepest sympathies to her family. 

The Honorable Jim Webb of Virginia 

Mr. President, today I join people from throughout America in 

paying tribute to former First Lady LADY BIRD JOHNSON, who 

passed away yesterday at the age of 94. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON served as America’s First Lady during one 

of the most tumultuous periods in our Nation’s history. During the 

1960s, this Nation suffered through the assassinations of our most 

promising leaders. 

We were also bitterly divided by the war in Vietnam. With respect to Vietnam, the Johnson family was personally affected by 

the war. Many of us recall the White House wedding of Chuck and 

Lynda Bird Robb in 1967, and how Chuck Robb later distinguished 

himself as a Marine Corps officer in Vietnam. 

And many of our cities literally burned as America struggled to 

end segregation and to usher in a new era of civil rights. On this 

last issue, in particular, President Johnson and LADY BIRD JOHNSON deserve historical credit for their leadership and political courage. 

It was against this backdrop of political and civil unrest that 

America was especially blessed by the grace, humility and quiet determination of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

Mrs. JOHNSON reminded all of us that America is at her best 

when we are civil to each other and when we treat our adversaries 

with tolerance and respect. 

Of course, her legacy extends far beyond her grace, charm and 

steadfast loyalty to President Johnson. To a greater extent perhaps 

than any other living American, LADY BIRD JOHNSON was the 

mother of the modern environmental movement. 

With her tireless efforts to beautify the countryside, promote conservation and combat roadside litter, LADY BIRD JOHNSON demVerDate jan 13 2004 11:53 Apr 23, 2008 Jkt 037095 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 6041 Sfmt 0191 C:\DOCS\LBJ\37095.TXT CRS1 PsN: SKAYNE
12 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

onstrated the power that each of us has to protect the environment 

and make our communities more attractive. Again, we need to embrace her legacy today. 

In my home State of Virginia, we have always felt a special connection to LADY BIRD JOHNSON. She was the mother of Lynda Bird 

Robb, who was the Commonwealth’s First Lady from 1982 to 1986, 

and the mother-in-law of Chuck Robb who was Governor at that 

time and later a distinguished Member of this body. 

During her frequent trips to our State, Virginians always embraced LADY BIRD JOHNSON for her warmth, grace, and strength of 

character. These were the same values for which all Americans 

held her in such high esteem. 

I want to extend to her family and many friends my deepest 

sympathies, as well as my appreciation for her extraordinary life. 

America is a much better Nation because of the life and service of 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

FRIDAY, July 13, 2007 

SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS 

SENATE RESOLUTION 271—HONORING LADY BIRD 

JOHNSON 

Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. 

Cornyn, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. 

Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. 

Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bunning, Mr. 

Burr, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, 

Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Corker, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, 

Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. 

Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 

Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. 

Hatch, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, 

Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, Mrs. 

McCaskill, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. 

Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. 

Obama, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. 

Salazar, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. 

Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, Mr. 

Lady Bird Johnson 13 

Sununu, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thune, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. 

Warner, Mr. Webb, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden) submitted 

the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: 

S. RES. 271 

Whereas Americans throughout the nation are mourning the passing of CLAUDIA

TAYLOR (LADY BIRD) JOHNSON, who served as First Lady with honor and grace during the Administration of her husband, President Lyndon Baines Johnson; 

Whereas Mrs. JOHNSON was born near Karnack, Texas and received the nickname 

‘‘LADY BIRD’’ as a young child; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was known as an excellent student and graduated 

from the University of Texas; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON met Lyndon Johnson in 1934 and the 2 were married later that year; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a successful businesswoman who helped build 

a small radio station into a multimillion-dollar radio and television enterprise; 

Whereas throughout her husband’s political career in Congress and the White 

House, LADY BIRD JOHNSON played an important supportive role as a partner and 

confidante; 

Whereas as wife of the Vice President, LADY BIRD JOHNSON visited 33 foreign 

countries as an ambassador of goodwill; 

Whereas, as First Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON earned widespread respect and affection not only for the tone of dignity with which she represented her husband and 

the Nation, but for her active involvement in efforts to serve the public, such as her 

work to improve the environment and to address the problem of poverty in the 

United States; 

Whereas millions of travelers and commuters have LADY BIRD JOHNSON to thank 

for the colorful flowers that line many of our roads, which represent a living, lasting 

legacy of the woman who guided the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (23 U.S.C. 

131, 135 note, 136, 319) into law; 

Whereas after leaving the White House, LADY BIRD JOHNSON continued to serve 

the Nation in many ways, including helping to found the National Wildflower Research Center, supporting the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, and serving on the 

Board of the National Geographic Society as a trustee emeritus; and 

Whereas, in addition to her service to the Nation, LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a devoted and loving mother to her 2 daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines, as well 

as her 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of CLAUDIA TAYLOR

(LADY BIRD) JOHNSON; 

(2) extends its heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. JOHNSON’s family; 

(3) honors and, on behalf of the nation, expresses deep appreciation for LADY BIRD

JOHNSON’s important service to her country; and 

(4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the 

family of Mrs. JOHNSON. 

14 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

The Honorable Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota 

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed 

to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 271, submitted earlier 

today. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution 

by title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 271) honoring LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 

resolution. 

Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 

the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions 

to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 271) was agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

MONDAY, July 16, 2007 

The Honorable Richard Durbin of Illinois 

Mr. President, we should all be so fortunate as to live a worthy 

life and at the moment of our passing have a person with the talent of Bill Moyers memorialize our time on Earth. On Saturday, 

Bill Moyers, the PBS journalist who served as special assistant to 

President Lyndon Johnson from 1963 to 1978, delivered a eulogy 

at LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s funeral service. He read from a text which 

I will now have printed in the Record. 

I ask unanimous consent that the eulogy be printed in the 

Record. 

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed 

in the Record, as follows: 

[The text of the eulogy is on page xlvii]. 

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, those of us who are fortunate 

enough to know Mr. Moyers understand what an extraordinary 

person he is. I hope those who read the remarks he made about 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON will come to appreciate so much more the contributions she made in her life. She was a gracious and caring person. Bill Moyers’ eulogy reminds us she was also a person of exceptional courage. 

Lady Bird Johnson 15 

I join America in extending condolences to LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s 

family, to the family of our former colleague, Senator Charles and 

Lynda Robb, and to all those who mourn her passing, and I yield 

the floor. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island. 

The Honorable Jack Reed of Rhode Island 

Mr. President, first let me associate myself with the comments 

of Senator Durbin about LADY BIRD JOHNSON. I had the privilege 

and pleasure for many years of knowing a dear friend of their family, my dear friend, Warrie Price and her family. She was there in 

Austin for the services. 

Also, I had the privilege of serving with Senator Chuck Robb and 

knowing Lynda. I thank the Senator for recognizing those comments by Bill Moyers. When I spoke to my friend, Warrie Price, 

she said she had never heard anything as moving and as evocative 

and as fitting as the tribute by Bill Moyers. 

I thank the Senator for including that in the Record for the 

American people to consider. 

THURSDAY, July 19, 2007 

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., of Delaware 

Madam President, so much has been said about the various parts 

of LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s life, as one of our most beloved First Ladies, as a loving mother and grandmother, as the mother of the 

conservation movement, and as a skilled businesswoman. But there 

is another aspect all of us in this body appreciate, and that is her 

mark on this Chamber. 

Before the Johnsons left Washington in January 1969, they came 

to the Capitol to say farewell. And the ever gracious LADY BIRD

JOHNSON, who had watched her husband serve as a Senator and 

a majority leader, said: 

When we say goodbye to Washington, the address of 1600 Pennsylvania 

Avenue was a small span of time for us in comparison to the years that 

we spent closely affiliated with this building. 

She knew how to use this building. She was the first First Lady 

to ever undertake a major legislative effort—the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. Four decades later, her efforts still bloom on our 

highways in every region of this country, and in this city. 

She did what each of us, and all of us combined, come here to 

do—leave America better than we found it. Her achievement is all 

16 Memorial Tributes in the Senate 

the more remarkable because it was a trying period in our Nation’s 

history. A President had been assassinated, we were divided by 

Vietnam, there were riots in our cities over desegregation. 

But she understood nature belongs to every single one of us, and 

we have an obligation to pay nature back. As President Johnson 

said, when he signed the law: 

There is a part of America which was here long before we arrived, and 

will be here, if we preserve it, long after we depart. 

As Mrs. JOHNSON departs, we thank her for her preservation. We 

thank her for lining every corner of the country with flowers that 

we all enjoy. 

And we thank her for teaching us that preservation and beauty 

go beyond the wildflowers, to the need to deal with pollution and 

urban decay and other problems that are too prevalent in our country and world today. 

Jill and I are thinking of her daughters, Lynda and Luci, their 

families—and, in particular, Senator Robb, who served this body so 

well. 

WEDNESDAY, July 25, 2007 

The Honorable John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia 

Mr. President, when LADY BIRD JOHNSON passed away on the 

afternoon of July 11, 2007, the United States mourned the loss of 

a dignified and compassionate First Lady. Even though she is gone, 

she has left us with the legacy of her beautification of America. 

Through her diligent efforts, Mrs. JOHNSON was not only an advocate for the natural beauty of America but also of the beauty and 

strength of its people. Sharon and I extend our deepest sympathy 

to her daughters Lynda and Luci, their families, her friends, and 

all of those whose lives have been touched by her life’s work. 

As President Lyndon B. Johnson entered the White House in one 

of our Nation’s most harrowing moments, Mrs. JOHNSON stood by 

her husband with poise and courage that helped comfort a wounded nation. Her service to our country would go even further as she 

became a leading voice for preserving and defending America’s natural resources. Here in the Nation’s Capital, people can’t help but 

be reminded of Mrs. JOHNSON’s vigorous work to adorn Washington, DC, with flowers, giving us an aesthetic that all Americans 

could take pride in and enjoy. 

I have always shared Mrs. JOHNSON’s deeply held love for the 

beauty of the United States, from the mountains of West Virginia 

to the plains of Texas. It was because of her commitment to the environment and the splendor of our country that the Beautification 

Lady Bird Johnson 17 

Act of 1965 was passed. She strove to line our highways with 

wildflowers and still found time to enjoy walking through the national parks that she fought to protect. 

In addition to her work with the environment, I truly admire her 

efforts to address poverty in the United States. Under President 

Johnson, the VISTA Program was enacted, sending out volunteers 

to improve the conditions of impoverished communities. I can 

proudly say that as a VISTA volunteer in Emmons, WV, I saw 

firsthand the immense benefits of this program for participants and 

for the communities they serve. 

I will never forget her devotion to her husband, her family, and 

her country. I will never forget her passion fighting for civil rights 

and against poverty. Nor will I ever forget her determination to 

leave a beautiful America for future generations. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON, again, held my sincerest respect and appreciation. To her family and the people of Texas, I offer my deepest 

sympathies. Mrs. JOHNSON was a valuable public servant, an inspiration and a friend. More than anything else, she was an irreplaceable First Lady. 

(19) 

PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF 

REPRESENTATIVES 

TRIBUTES BY REPRESENTATIVES 

WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2007 

The Honorable Solomon P. Ortiz of Texas 

Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to announce the passing of a great Texan, LADY BIRD JOHNSON. LADY BIRD JOHNSON

was the essence of a lady so much that it was literally her name. 

She brought grace and light to the State of Texas and in Washington, DC. She was a partner to President Lyndon Johnson in the 

home, on the campaign trail and in the White House. She made 

things around her prettier, around the environment, and she 

brought light and beauty to Washington, DC, to politics, and to our 

Nation. 

She was so proud of the Department of Education bearing the 

name of her husband, LBJ, to illustrate her dedication to education. Her legacy will live on in their beautiful family and in the 

flowers and beauty of the many parks that were inspired by her 

all over the Nation. 

At this moment I would like to yield to my good friend, Lloyd 

Doggett. 

The Honorable Lloyd Doggett of Texas 

Madam Speaker, LADY BIRD JOHNSON cared for all that is beautiful and vulnerable in the world. I think every child in a Head 

Start Program, every wildflower gracing our highways is testament 

to her service. 

In Austin we think of her years after the White House, the Lady 

Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, our Town Lake Trail, which families enjoy as a result of her concern. 

Our thoughts and prayers are particularly with her daughters, 

Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Bird Robb, their children, who are 

themselves a testament to her tradition and public service. And at 

an appropriate time we would like to ask that the House observe 

a moment of silence. 

20 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I yield to my good friend, Mr. Barton. 

The Honorable Joe Barton of Texas 

I thank the dean of the delegation for yielding to me. 

On behalf of the minority Republicans from Texas, simply let us 

say that we join in our best wishes to LADY BIRD’s family. I knew 

LADY BIRD through the White House Fellows Program. For those 

of us that were privileged to know her as an individual, she was 

gracious and charming and an absolute delight to know. 

We hope we will do a Special Order tomorrow, but we all join our 

colleagues wishing the Lyndon Johnson and LADY BIRD JOHNSON

family our sincerest sympathies. 

Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, let me yield for a few seconds to 

my good friend, Mr. Gene Green of Texas. 

The Honorable Gene Green of Texas 

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas for yielding to 

me. And I want to thank this House, Madam Speaker, because earlier this year we passed a bill and it has been signed by the President naming the Department of Education Building for Lyndon 

Baines Johnson. A lot of our goal was to make sure that LADY BIRD

was alive when that was done. When President Bush signed the 

bill, she actually heard; because of her illness she couldn’t be in 

Washington, but she heard the bill signing and the great things 

said about the legacy of President Johnson and the Johnson family. 

And all of us share the loss of the Johnson family and the loss 

of LADY BIRD. She literally defined the term ‘‘lady’’ for those of us 

who knew her. 

The Honorable Solomon P. Ortiz of Texas 

Madam Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in LADY BIRD

JOHNSON’s honor. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will all the Members and visitors 

in the gallery please rise and observe a moment of silence. 

Lady Bird Johnson 21 

MONDAY, July 16, 2007 

The Honorable Al Green of Texas 

Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life and outstanding 

works of CLAUDIA TAYLOR ‘‘LADY BIRD’’ JOHNSON, the former First 

Lady of the United States. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was born on December 22, 1912, to Thomas 

Jefferson Taylor and Minnie Lee Pattillo. As a child, LADY BIRD

was a tremendous student who expressed great love for classical 

literature before going on to earn two degrees (bachelor of arts in 

history and in journalism) from the University of Texas in 1933 

and 1934. She married Lyndon Baines Johnson on November 17, 

1934. 

When Lyndon Johnson became the 36th President of the United 

States, LADY BIRD showed groundbreaking leadership in developing 

new opportunities for our First Ladies. LADY BIRD conceptualized 

and secured congressional support for the Highway Beautification 

Act, which President Johnson signed into law on October 22, 1965. 

This important piece of legislation ordered the removal of certain 

junkyards and overly intrusive advertising along our Nation’s highways. She also championed the creation and strengthening of the 

Head Start Program, which has helped ensure that all children 

have access to vital early-childhood education, regardless of their 

parents’ income. 

After her time as First Lady, LADY BIRD continued to show leadership in the causes dear to her, especially the preservation of our 

wildlife. In 1970, she published her diaries of her time as First 

Lady, ‘‘White House Diary,’’ which detailed her pioneering accomplishments and inspired young women across the country. In 1982, 

LADY BIRD founded the National Wildflower Research Center, 

which works to expand the sustainable use and conservation of 

wildflowers and native plants. She also served as National Geographic Society trustee emeritus and Kennedy Center honorary 

chair. 

As a result of her numerous good works, LADY BIRD JOHNSON

earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1988. These honors were well deserved 

and serve as testament to the exemplary life of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

Mrs. JOHNSON’s passage is a tremendous loss for the Johnson 

family and for our country. It is with great sadness that I pass on 

my condolences to LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s family and friends, but 

with great pride that I honor her incredible life and accomplishments. 

22 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

The Honorable Ted Poe of Texas 

Madam Speaker, my grandmother influenced my life in so many 

ways and she educated me in the ways of the world more than anyone in my life, but to her dismay I broke from her staunchest 

southern belief—the Democratic Party. I don’t know that she ever 

forgave me for being a Republican and during the 1960s, in the 

heyday of LBJ, she was aghast that anyone could be anything else. 

Despite my political difference with President Lyndon Johnson, his 

contributions to Texas as President may only be surpassed by those 

of his First Lady. This week we said goodbye to one of the finest 

southern ladies politics and Texas has ever had the pleasure of 

knowing, LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

My grandmother always said, ‘‘there is nothing more powerful 

than a woman who has made up her mind!’’ There are no truer 

words; and none that describe our former First Lady better. CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR JOHNSON, known throughout the world simply as 

LADY BIRD, not only changed the landscape of Texas highways, but 

paved the way for the next generation of women. She was the best 

example of the powerful role women of her generation played—second to my grandmother of course. 

While LADY BIRD will best be remembered for her love of the environment and the preservation of our natural resources, she was 

no wallflower in the business and political world either. She was 

her husband’s staunchest supporter and was with him step for step 

throughout his entire career, but at the same time she also carved 

a path for herself in the business world by turning a debt-ridden 

Austin radio station into a multi-million dollar broadcast empire. 

Her resume reads like that of a modern-day Superwoman. Among 

her many achievements, she played a pivotal part in shaping legislation by lobbying and speaking before Congress in support of the 

Highway Beautification Bill, or better known as the ‘‘Lady Bird 

Bill.’’ She oversaw every detail in the creation of the LBJ Presidential Library, which became the model for Presidential libraries 

today, and served faithfully, and often in awe of her colleagues, as 

a regent of her alma mater, the University of Texas. 

Like my grandmother she came from a generation of women who 

were strong and influential. They possessed the grace of an angel, 

but wielded a heavy hand in running their affairs—and those of 

their husbands’ for that matter. Few women of their generation 

worked outside the home, but few men succeeded without the backing of them. Whether they devoted their time to their work or to 

their home, their influence undoubtedly changed the country we 

live in today. Texas Congressman Sam Rayburn, longtime friend of 

President Johnson and House Speaker, once told him that 

Lady Bird Johnson 23 

marrying LADY BIRD was the wisest decision he had ever made. 

Few people know that LADY BIRD originally told LBJ ‘‘no,’’ when 

he asked to marry her. 

Every spring folks will head up Highway 290 to see wildflowers; 

and every bluebonnet we see throughout the Texas hill country and 

every tree we plant here at home along Will Clayton Parkway is 

a tribute to LADY BIRD and her determination to ‘‘Keep Texas 

Beautiful.’’ Her legacy and influence will live on forever. I doubt 

that Texas, nor our country. will ever know a finer lady and patriot 

than we had in LADY BIRD JOHNSON. As the saying goes, behind 

every good man there stands a better woman. May God bless LADY

BIRD JOHNSON as she has blessed us. 

And that’s just the way it is. 

TUESDAY, July 17, 2007 

PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS 

Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions were introduced and severally referred, as follows: . . . 

By Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. 

Hall of Texas, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Barton of Texas, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. 

Hoyer, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Carter, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Smith of Texas, 

Mr. Lampson, Mr. Poe, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Gohmert, Ms. JacksonLee of Texas, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Doggett, Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Cuellar, Ms. Granger, Mr. 

Thornberry, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. George Miller of California, 

Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Dicks, Mrs. Capps, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, 

Mr. Conaway, Mrs. Maloney of New York, Mr. McCotter, Mr. 

Schiff, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Kind, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez 

of California, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Kildee, Ms. 

Bordallo, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. McNulty, Ms. Lee, Mr. Van 

Hollen, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Holt, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. McCarthy of 

New York, Mr. Farr, and Mr. Altmire): 

H. Res. 553. A resolution mourning the passing of former First 

Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, and celebrating her life and contributions to the people of the United States; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. 

24 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

MONDAY, July 23, 2007 

The Honorable Danny K. Davis of Illinois 

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House suspend the rules and agree 

to the resolution (H. Res. 553) mourning the passing of former 

First Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, and celebrating her life and contributions to the people of the United States. 

The Clerk read the title of the resolution. 

The text of the resolution is as follows: 

H. RES. 553 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was born CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR in Karnack, Texas 

on December 22, 1912, the daughter of Minnie Pattillo Taylor and Thomas Jefferson 

Taylor; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON received her nickname ‘‘LADY BIRD’’ from a nurse 

who thought she was as ‘‘purty as a lady bird’’; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was known for her academic accomplishments, 

graduating from high school at 15 years of age and graduating from the University 

of Texas in Austin in 1933 as one of the top 10 students in her class; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON married President Lyndon Baines Johnson on November 17, 1934; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a dedicated wife to President Johnson and a 

devoted mother to their two daughters, Lynda Bird Johnson and Luci Baines Johnson; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON served with honor and dedication as the wife of 

President Johnson throughout his service as a congressional secretary, United 

States Representative, United States Senator, Vice President of the United States, 

and President of the United States; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was known for expanding the position of First Lady 

by taking a visible role in President Johnson’s administration; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON served as President Johnson’s personal adviser 

throughout his career, and was a champion of civil rights and programs for children 

and the poor, including the educational Head Start programs; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was known for her passion for environmental 

causes and the preservation of native plants and wildflowers; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON paved the way for the environmental movement of 

the 1970s through her efforts to replace urban blight with flowers and trees; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON established the [C]apital [B]eautification [P]roject 

and played a major role in the passage of the 1965 Highway Beautification Act, 

which was the first major legislative campaign initiated by a First Lady; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON and President Johnson retired to their ranch located near Austin, Texas following the completion of President Johnson’s term as 

President; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON continued her dedication to education through her 

service on the Board of Regents for the University of Texas and through her work 

planning the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum at the University of Texas 

in Austin; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1977 and 

the Congressional Gold Medal in 1988; 

Lady Bird Johnson 25 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON co-founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in 1982 in order to protect and preserve North America’s native plants and natural landscapes; 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON leaves behind an honorable legacy that represents 

her gentle nature and strong spirit th[r]ough her dedication to her family and her 

passion for the environment; and 

Whereas LADY BIRD JOHNSON died on July 11, 2007, at 94 years of age at her 

home in Austin, Texas, and was survived by her 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 

10 greatgrandchildren: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives mourns the passing of former First 

Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, and celebrates her life and contributions to the people 

of the United States. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman 

from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 

Duncan) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. 

The Honorable Danny K. Davis of Illinois 

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I’m pleased to join my colleague in the consideration 

of H. Res. 553, a bill that mourns the passing of former First Lady, 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON, and celebrates her life contributions and 

achievements. 

H. Res. 553, which has 58 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson on July 17, 2007. H. Res. 553 

was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by 

a voice vote. 

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague and Representative Eddie 

Bernice Johnson for seeking to honor the former First Lady, LADY

BIRD JOHNSON, and celebrating her life contributions to the people 

of the United States. 

I urge swift passage of this bill. 

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. 

The Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr., of Tennessee 

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 

Mr. Speaker, it is certainly a pleasure to honor a remarkable 

First Lady and great conservationist, LADY BIRD JOHNSON. And it 

is with much sadness that the House continues to note her recent 

passing. 

Born in 1912 in Karnack, TX, in an era when women were not 

expected to accomplish great things, Mrs. JOHNSON came to represent strength of character that was the hallmark of her life. 

26 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

After graduating from the University of Texas in 1933, she married Lyndon Baines Johnson. Mrs. JOHNSON became the mother of 

two daughters, certainly her most important work, Lynda Bird and 

Luci Baines Johnson. She spent the next few decades raising her 

children and supporting her husband in his political career, which, 

of course, led him to the Presidency. She was a trusting sounding 

board for her husband through all his years in the House and Senate and in the White House. 

Mrs. JOHNSON led a nationwide effort to call attention to the 

beauty and the goal of highlighting historical sites and highways 

by planting flowering plants and wildflowers. While First Lady, she 

visited numerous public sites and scenic areas, thus bringing local 

and national attention to her beautification and conservation initiatives. 

As we all have seen each spring in Washington, Mrs. JOHNSON

has left a lasting legacy for all American and foreign visitors to this 

great city, who can now see incredible numbers of flowers throughout the area. She not only helped beautify Washington, but was 

also responsible for the 1965 Highway Beautification Act, calling 

for control of outdoor advertising, as well as the clean-up of junkyards along the national highways. 

It is partly because of her efforts that we now have the Surface 

Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987, requiring at least one-quarter of 1 percent of funds expended for 

landscaping projects in the highway system to be used to plant native flowers, plants and trees. 

After leaving Washington, Mrs. JOHNSON enthusiastically continued her conservation efforts throughout her beloved home State of 

Texas right up until the date of her death on July 11, 2007. 

I urge my colleagues to please join me in honoring this great 

woman of Texas and First Lady of the United States, LADY BIRD

JOHNSON, for her untiring efforts in educating a Nation on the benefits of conservation and beautification throughout her lifetime. 

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the author and sponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman 

from Texas, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson. 

The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, let me thank these two distinguished gentlemen on 

the floor, Mr. Davis of Illinois and Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, for 

helping us with this today. 

Lady Bird Johnson 27 

I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of LADY BIRD

JOHNSON. I would like to thank my colleagues Mr. Hall, Mr. Barton 

and Mr. Ortiz for their sponsorship, and the entire Texas delegation for joining me in sponsoring and honoring Mrs. JOHNSON. 

Mrs. JOHNSON was known as a woman of class and integrity. She 

was strong in spirit and always represented herself with dignity 

and grace. 

For decades LADY BIRD JOHNSON served with honor and dedication as the wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, throughout 

his service as a staffer to Representative Kleberg, as he served in 

the U.S. House of Representatives, as a U.S. Senator, as Vice 

President, and as President of the United States. She served as 

President Johnson’s personal adviser throughout his career and 

was known for expanding the position of the First Lady by taking 

a visible role in President Johnson’s administration. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON dedicated much of her life to the preservation of our environment. Perhaps she could be considered the first 

environmentalist in this era. This passion led her to create the 

Capital Beautification Project to improve physical conditions in 

Washington, DC, both for residents and tourists. Her efforts inspired similar programs throughout the country. She also played a 

major role in the passage of the 1965 Highway Beautification Act. 

This was the first legislative campaign begun by a First Lady. The 

trees and flowers we see along our American highways today are 

a testament to her work and her dedication. 

After leaving Washington, President and Mrs. JOHNSON moved 

back to Austin, TX, where Mrs. JOHNSON continued to work for environmental causes. And that is, perhaps, the most environmentally sensitive city in Texas right now. Today we can all admire her legacy through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 

in Austin, TX. 

Mrs. JOHNSON died on July 11, 2007, at the age of 94 at her 

home in Austin, and was survived by her 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. 

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Johnson 

family. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s incredible life and legacy. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I know that Representative 

Gene Green had intended to be here. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been 

able to make it yet. 

It is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to Representative Chet Edwards from the 17th District of Texas. 

28 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

The Honorable Chet Edwards of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a true Texas treasure. 

She graced the Lone Star State, our Nation, and the world with 

her beauty and grace. 

While she is no longer with us, the masterpiece of her vision can 

be seen along the highways and byways of America. LADY BIRD’s 

wildflowers symbolize her life, a quiet, enduring beauty that will 

enrich our lives for generations to come. With our highways as her 

canvas, she painted with a brush of God’s hand a landscape that 

brings peace to us in our day-to-day lives. 

The beauty of LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s vision did not stop with the 

highways and parks of our Nation, for she also envisioned a world 

not blighted by the ugliness of poverty and discrimination. As a 

partner to the President who fought for a Great Society, she helped 

make ours a better society. For that we are all her beneficiaries. 

I thank God for the life and spirit of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 

minutes to LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s Representative, the gentleman 

from Texas, Representative Lloyd Doggett. 

The Honorable Lloyd Doggett of Texas 

With heavy hearts, the thousands of Texans who participated in 

memorials to LADY BIRD JOHNSON, especially those who filled the 

streets of Austin, Dripping Springs, and Johnson City, attest to our 

affection and respect for her compassion, warmth and leadership. 

And with unusually heavy rainfall this year, Texas is literally alive 

with her legacy, the beautiful wildflowers along our roadways, and 

filling the photo albums and scrapbooks with children smiling in a 

bed of bluebonnets or Indian paintbrush for one family after another. 

She knew a better America was one that gives all of its citizens 

an opportunity to succeed. And with the reauthorization this year 

of Head Start, more young Americans can access quality early education, ensuring that no child starts behind. 

When my predecessor, Representative Jake Pickle, spoke on this 

floor after the death of President Johnson, he said that Mrs. JOHNSON was her husband’s wisest adviser, and that their daughters, 

Lynda Bird and Luci, had brought ‘‘so much credit to their family 

and to our country.’’

Of her many gifts, perhaps her most meaningful legacy is her 

spirit of giving that lives on in her children and grandchildren. In 

Austin, her daughter Luci and her grandchildren, Catherine Robb 

and Nicole Covert, among others, give their time, support and leadVerDate jan 13 2004 11:53 Apr 23, 2008 Jkt 037095 PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 6041 Sfmt 0191 C:\DOCS\LBJ\37095.TXT CRS1 PsN: SKAYNE
Lady Bird Johnson 29 

ership to causes such as SafePlace, Seton, the University of Texas, 

and the Children’s Medical Center Foundation. 

Mrs. JOHNSON promoted native species. They have strong roots 

and improve and beautify our land. The same, and more, can be 

said of the human legacy that she leaves. 

The Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr., of Tennessee 

Mr. Speaker, let me just close by saying it has been a privilege 

for me to handle this resolution on our side. 

I know that most of us heard and read and saw some of the 

beautiful and moving tributes that were made to Mrs. JOHNSON in 

her funeral ceremony just a few days ago, especially the tributes 

from her daughters. And so I think this is a very fitting and appropriate resolution. I commend my good friend, the gentlewoman 

from Texas, Ms. Johnson, for bringing this resolution to the floor, 

and also my friend Mr. Davis. 

I urge passage of this resolution. 

And Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 

minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez). 

The Honorable Ciro D. Rodriguez of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, I want to personally thank both the gentleman 

from Tennessee and the gentleman from Illinois, Chairman Davis, 

for allowing me this opportunity. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Honorable Congresswoman Eddie Bernice 

Johnson for bringing forth this resolution. 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of CLAUDIA TAYLOR ‘‘LADY

BIRD’’ JOHNSON. Mrs. LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a woman of incredible caliber, a woman whose contributions of admirable causes have 

bettered not only Texas, but the entire Nation as a whole. 

She redefined what it meant to be a First Lady. Along with 

championing the environment, LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a confidante to her husband, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and was invaluable to his efforts, improving not only health care but education. 

She, like no one else, understood the importance of early intervention when it came to education. Her efforts in Head Start to this 

day are there to show that Head Start has been a program that 

reaches out to these poor youngsters. Head Start has also proven 

that those youngsters that participate in Head Start are less likely 

to drop out than those that don’t. She understood that from the 

very beginning. 

30 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON knew and had that Texas charm and wit. 

Her passion for the environment has left a lasting mark on America. Thanks to her tenacious effort in initiating beautification 

projects, the Nation’s highways are more pleasant to drive on and 

the Nation’s Capital is a lovelier sight. The city of San Antonio, 

where LADY BIRD married President Johnson, has also benefited 

from the First Lady’s efforts. 

Her highway beautification projects had a lasting impact not only 

in San Antonio, but throughout Texas. The Texas Department of 

Transportation says LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s Highway Beautification 

Act that became law in 1965 annually dispenses over 5.6 billion 

wildflower seeds of some 30 varieties, including our State flower, 

the bluebonnet. LADY BIRD devoted much of her later life to 

beautifying her home and the State of Texas with admirable work. 

With eternal gratitude from all of us, I ask you to join me today 

in remembering the magnificent work LADY BIRD JOHNSON has 

done for all of us. I want to thank her for what she has done for 

all of us. 

Let me just say that every spring as we go along the highways 

and as the flowers bloom, we will remember her for what she has 

done for all of us. She now rests near the Pedernales River in 

Texas. Her legacy will forever be with us. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 

minutes to another son of Texas, the chairman of the Intelligence 

Committee, the Honorable Silvestre Reyes. 

The Honorable Silvestre Reyes of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. 

Mr. Speaker, I want to add my condolences to LADY BIRD’s family 

and tell everyone that while she will be missed, her legacy lives on 

in Texas. 

I think her contribution to Texas gives us a unique insight into 

who the former First Lady was; a person who used her gifts, her 

position, her talents and her status to expand the world for everyday people, to make the world better for the inner city residents 

of the District of Columbia, and for the public that was traveling 

along the interstates of our great country, and, of course, for Texas. 

She had vision and gave people a reason to be proud of their surroundings, to take ownership of their neighborhoods and communities, and to make them better places to live. This is meaningful 

and important on so many different levels for all of us that are 

Texans. In doing this, she was ahead of her time. She helped bring 

Lady Bird Johnson 31 

the cause of conservation to the forefront and drew our Nation’s attention to the importance of creating and nurturing beauty. 

I am honored and privileged that I met Mrs. JOHNSON many 

years ago when I was a college student at the University of Texas 

at Austin. I am proud of the legacy that she created and that she 

leaves with all of us. May she rest in peace among the hills, the 

streams, and especially the flowers that she so loved in Texas. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I simply want to thank the 

gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) for his participation in 

processing this legislation. I want to thank all of the Members from 

Texas who spoke. 

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution. 

The Honorable Joe Barton of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the memory and celebrate the life 

of former First Lady, CLAUDIA TAYLOR ‘‘LADY BIRD’’ JOHNSON, and 

the contributions she has given to the people of a country she so 

dearly loved. I had the privilege of knowing LADY BIRD through the 

White House Fellows Program and as anyone who knew her as an 

individual would agree, she was a person of grace, charm, and an 

absolute delight to know. As a native Texan, a wife, a mother, a 

businesswoman, and First Lady, she emitted beauty through her 

presence and through her actions leaving a legacy that will not 

soon be forgotten. 

LADY BIRD met Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1934 and in 7 short 

months, had captured his heart as he asked for her hand in marriage. Mrs. JOHNSON stood by her husband and supported his endeavors with a perseverance and tenacity that one rarely finds. 

When LBJ volunteered for naval service during World War II, 

LADY BIRD stepped in and kept his congressional office running 

and except for voting, served the need of every constituent. She 

again came to the rescue in 1955 helping staff keep things under 

control when her husband suffered a severe heart attack while 

serving as Senate majority leader. The former President once remarked that voters ‘‘would happily have elected her over me.’’

In 1960 Mrs. JOHNSON traveled over 35,000 miles of campaign 

trail as she pushed LBJ toward a successful bid for the Vice Presidency. During this tenure, she visited 33 foreign countries as an 

ambassador of goodwill. LADY BIRD again stood by and supported 

her husband as he became the 36th President of the United States 

and helped console the hearts and minds of an entire country as 

they mourned the loss of President John F. Kennedy. 

32 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

As First Lady, Mrs. JOHNSON was highly involved in the President’s initiatives supporting education and working to alleviate 

poverty. Under her own ambition, she created a First Lady’s Committee for a More Beautiful Capital which later expanded to include an entire Nation. LADY BIRD was also the inspiration behind 

the Beautification Act of 1965 which transformed the landscape of 

our national highways. Never tiring in her life’s work, at the age 

of 70, Mrs. JOHNSON founded the National Wildflower Research 

Center which is dedicated to the preservation and re-establishment 

of native plants in natural and planned landscapes. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON should be remembered by all as a person 

with elegance, grace and a tireless work ethic. She dedicated her 

life in service to others and gave so much of herself in support of 

her husband, family, and country. Today, as we celebrate the life 

of LADY BIRD JOHNSON, we honor her contributions to the people 

of the United States and recognize that we have lost a great American that will be dearly missed. 

The Honorable Nick Lampson of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, when Texans think of their home State, and frankly non-Texans do as well, a few key symbols come to mind. There 

is the instantly recognizable outline of Texas, along with the Lone 

Star, the Alamo, cowboy hats, barbecue, and so many other great 

traditions and institutions. Among them is the Texas State flower, 

the bluebonnet. The bright blue bloom of that flower throughout 

the roads and lands of southeast Texas is instantly recognizable. 

The reason why, of course, is that LADY BIRD JOHNSON led the 

beautification movement to protect and grow our State flower, setting a fine example of State pride for all Texans. We Texans feel 

the loss of the former First Lady when we think of this symbol, but 

as future flowers bloom, so too will her memory live on for our 

great Nation. 

The Honorable Rube ́n Hinojosa of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 553, to pay special 

tribute to LADY BIRD JOHNSON. I am proud to recognize the accomplishments of a fellow Texan and a true Renaissance woman. 

For much of her life, LADY BIRD JOHNSON acted as the graceful 

wife of a congressional secretary, U.S. Representative, Senator, 

Vice President and President. She devoted herself to her husband’s 

political campaigns and lived in the public eye throughout the turbulent 1960s and Vietnam war era. 

Lady Bird Johnson 33 

But LADY BIRD JOHNSON was also a scholar, a writer, a politician, and an advocate for education issues. At the University of 

Texas in Austin she studied journalism and qualified as a public 

school teacher. Later in life, she wrote ‘‘A White House Diary’’ and 

served as a University of Texas regent. 

LADY BIRD demonstrated her remarkable talents for public 

speaking while on the campaign trail through southern States, 

where, as a product of an east Texas town steeped in traditional 

southern values, she was an invaluable spokesperson for the 1960 

Kennedy-Johnson Presidential ticket. 

While her husband served as President, LADY BIRD JOHNSON

acted as honorary chairwoman of the national Head Start Program. 

As my colleagues may note, I am a strong proponent of the Head 

Start Program, which can make immense differences in the lives 

of underprivileged pre-school children by preparing them to enter 

elementary school on a par with their peers. Thus, I celebrate LADY

BIRD’s contributions to this invaluable program. 

During this time, LADY BIRD JOHNSON has also been credited 

with holding luncheons spotlighting women of assorted careers. As 

a strong supporter of women’s rights and pay equality, I believe 

that her efforts to applaud young women’s advancements into traditionally male-dominated careers have had a profound effect on 

women’s equality in general. 

LADY BIRD was also an adept businesswoman who purchased a 

small radio station in 1942 in Austin and built a multimillion-dollar radio corporation. In today’s society, young women interested in 

business and the telecommunications industries may look to LADY

BIRD JOHNSON as a trailblazer and a success story. 

While LADY BIRD’s conservation work in our Nation’s Capital is 

widely known, LADY BIRD’s efforts to beautify our great State of 

Texas should also be applauded. In 1969, she founded the Texas 

Highway Beautification Awards, and hosted 20 annual awards 

ceremonies, where she presented personal checks to the winners. 

And, on her 70th birthday, she founded the Lady Bird Johnson 

Wildflower Center, to which she donated acres of her own land. 

LADY BIRD has indeed left her mark upon Texas, as the namesake of a golf course, a municipal park, a walking trail, and a 

street. 

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in support of H. 

Res. 553, celebrating the life of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. She was a remarkable First Lady, businesswoman, environmental advocate, and 

trailblazer of women’s rights. She has left a grand legacy of 

strength of character and service upon Texas and upon the entire 

Nation. 

34 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

The Honorable Sam Farr of California 

Mr. Speaker, the death of LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a sad day for 

the country. It was also a sad day for my district, and for me personally. 

Mrs. JOHNSON also played a key role in drawing my father, California State Senator Fred Farr, to Washington. She successfully 

lobbied for his appointment as the Federal Highway Administration’s first Highway Beautification Coordinator, wisely drawing his 

energy and insights to Washington. 

LADY BIRD was a fervent supporter of so many of the values my 

constituents and I hold dear. She was a lifelong supporter of the 

environment, an advocate for preserving the special places in communities around the country. LADY BIRD visited California’s Central Coast in 1966, where she dedicated Highway 1—now known to 

all as the Big Sur Coast Highway—as the first scenic route in the 

State. She even helped plant a redwood tree near Monterey’s historic Colton Hall. 

Mrs. JOHNSON was a passionate environmentalist. She argued 

against the blight of roadside billboards, instead calling for more 

trees and her beloved wildflowers. And many of the beautification 

projects that make Washington a gorgeous capital city were the 

product of Mrs. JOHNSON and my father. She was responsible for 

raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the city’s streets. 

Mrs. JOHNSON’s beautification projects and scenic designation 

programs were so important to drawing attention to areas that deserve protection. I encourage all of our communities to continue her 

work. We need more people like Mrs. JOHNSON in the world, more 

people who appreciate the beauty that is around us and who strive 

to preserve it. 

The Honorable Leonard L. Boswell of Iowa 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 553 recognizing 

the passing of LADY BIRD JOHNSON and her contributions to the 

United States. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON, the wife of the late President Lyndon B. 

Johnson, passed away last week at the age of 94. We will remember this former First Lady as a woman deeply committed to her 

husband and his Presidency, as well as a calm and elegant figure 

during a tumultuous time in American history. 

LADY BIRD took an active role during her husband’s time in the 

White House. Before environmentalism was a part of American political life, she lobbied Congress to clean up the landscape of the 

United States. Through her efforts, the National Highway BeautifiVerDate jan 13 2004 11:53 Apr 23, 2008 Jkt 037095 PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 6041 Sfmt 0191 C:\DOCS\LBJ\37095.TXT CRS1 PsN: SKAYNE
Lady Bird Johnson 35 

cation Act and the Clean Air Act became law and the Nation’s Capital received a much-needed makeover to its landscape. After she 

left the White House, she founded the National Wildflower Research Center in Austin, TX, which was later named in her honor. 

The center continues LADY BIRD’s efforts to preserve this country’s 

natural landscape and beauty. 

LADY BIRD also influenced many other policies and initiatives 

during the Johnson administration, including the War on Poverty, 

Head Start, and the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. She was 

awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Gerald Ford in 

1977 for her efforts both in and out of the White House. Through 

her numerous accomplishments, we will continue to remember her 

as a wife, mother, and passionate and dedicated American. While 

it is with sadness that I mark the passing of this wonderful individual, I am proud to be able to commemorate her incredible contributions to our Nation. 

The Honorable Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 553, which 

puts the House of Representatives on record in mourning the passing of LADY BIRD JOHNSON, the former First Lady of the United 

States. CLAUDIA ALTA ‘‘LADY BIRD’’ TAYLOR JOHNSON was the wife 

of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was 

an advocate for beautification of the Nation’s cities and highways 

and conservation of natural resources. The former First Lady was 

a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON studied history and journalism at St. Mary’s 

Episcopal School for Girls, a junior college in Dallas. She graduated 

with honors from the University of Texas with two degrees—a 

bachelor’s degree in history in 1933 and a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1934—a time when women were hard pressed to have a 

career of their own, let alone a college education. Her goal was to 

become a reporter but her media career was deferred when a friend 

in Austin introduced her to Lyndon Baines Johnson, a young upand-coming political hopeful. 

On their first date, which was breakfast the next morning at the 

Driskill Hotel and a long drive in the country, Lyndon Johnson proposed. LADY BIRD did not want to rush into marriage, but Lyndon 

Johnson was persistent and did not want to wait. The couple married on November 17, 1934, at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in 

San Antonio, TX. 

Three years later, when Lyndon decided to run for Congress from 

Texas’ 10th District in the hill country, LADY BIRD provided the 

36 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

money to launch his campaign. She took $10,000 of her inheritance 

from her mother’s estate to help start his political career. They had 

two daughters, Lynda (born in 1944), whose husband Charles S. 

Robb went on to become Governor of Virginia and a U.S. Senator, 

and Luci (born in 1947), who married, first, Pat Nugent and, second, Ian Turpin. 

As First Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON started a Capital Beautification Project (Society for a More Beautiful National Capital) to 

improve physical conditions in Washington, DC, both for residents 

and tourists. Her efforts inspired similar programs throughout the 

country. She was also instrumental in promoting the Highway 

Beautification Act, which sought to beautify the Nation’s highway 

system by limiting billboards and by planting roadside areas. She 

was also an advocate of the Head Start Program. 

JOHNSON’s press secretary from 1963 to 1969 was Liz Carpenter, 

a fellow University of Texas alumna. Carpenter was the first professional newswoman to be press secretary to a First Lady, and she 

also served as LADY BIRD’s staff director. 

In 1970, ‘‘A White House Diary,’’ LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s intimate, 

behind-the-scenes account of Lyndon Johnson’s Presidency from 

November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969, was published. Beginning 

with the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy, Mrs. JOHNSON

recorded the momentous events of her times, including the Great 

Society’s War on Poverty, the national civil rights and social protest movements, her own activism on behalf of the environment, 

and the Vietnam war. Indeed, LADY BIRD JOHNSON and her husband were champions of civil rights and were instrumental in the 

passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act 

of 1965. I know that her comforting words and her encouragement 

were part of the decision making of President Johnson as he made 

some critical decisions during some difficult times regarding the 

civil rights of individuals who had been discriminated against for 

most of the history of this country. Long out of print, the paperback 

edition of ‘‘A White House Diary’’ will be available again through 

the University of Texas Press in fall 2007. 

She was acquainted with a long span of fellow First Ladies, from 

Eleanor Roosevelt to Laura Bush, and was protected by the U.S. 

Secret Service for 44 years, longer than anyone else in history. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was awarded the Presidential Medal of 

Freedom by Gerald Ford on January 10, 1977. The citation for her 

medal read: 

One of America’s great First Ladies, she claimed her own place in the 

hearts and history of the American people. In councils of power or in homes 

of the poor, she made government human with her unique compassion and 

Lady Bird Johnson 37 

her grace, warmth and wisdom. Her leadership transformed the American 

landscape and preserved its natural beauty as a national treasure. 

JOHNSON then received the Congressional Gold Medal on May 8, 

1984. In addition to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, her 

name has been lent to the Lady Bird Johnson Park on Columbia 

Island in Washington, DC, which was founded as a result of her 

efforts as First Lady to beautify the Capital. 

After former President Johnson died in 1973, LADY BIRD JOHNSON remained in the public eye, honoring her husband and other 

Presidents. In the 1970s, she focused her attention on the Austin 

riverfront area through her involvement in the Town Lake Beautification Project. From 1971 to 1978, Mrs. JOHNSON served on the 

board of regents for the University of Texas system. 

On December 22, 1982 (her 70th birthday), she and actress 

Helen Hayes founded the National Wildflower Research Center, a 

nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and reintroducing native plants in planned landscapes, located east of Austin, TX. The 

center opened a new facility southwest of Austin on La Crosse Avenue in 1994. It was officially renamed the Lady Bird Johnson 

Wildflower Center in 1998. On June 20, 2006, the University of 

Texas at Austin announced plans to incorporate the 279-acre 

Wildflower Center into the university. 

For 20 years LADY BIRD JOHNSON spent her summers on the island of Martha’s Vineyard renting the home of Charles 

Guggenheim for many of those years. She said she had greatly appreciated the island’s natural beauty and flowers. 

On October 13, 2006, LADY BIRD JOHNSON made a rare public appearance at the renovation announcement of the Lyndon Baines 

Johnson Library and Museum. Sitting in a wheelchair and showing 

signs of recent health problems, LADY BIRD seemed engaged and 

alert, and clapped along with those present at the ceremony. 

Mr. Speaker, in the last year the State of Texas has lost several 

of its greatest sons and daughters: Governor Ann Richards; Senator 

and Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen; columnist and progressive 

icon Molly Ivins; and now LADY BIRD JOHNSON. 

The Lone Star State mourns the loss of our favorite daughter 

and it will be grieving for some time. But the memory of LADY BIRD

JOHNSON will never be forgotten so long as the flowers bloom in the 

capital city of our Nation and along the highways and byways of 

several States, especially her beloved Texas. 

I strongly support H. Res. 553 and urge my colleagues to do the 

same. 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 

our time. 

38 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House 

suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 553. 

The question was taken. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, twothirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. 

So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended 

and the resolution was agreed to. 

The result of the vote was announced. 

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. 

The Honorable Solomon P. Ortiz of Texas 

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of America’s truly great 

First Ladies, LADY BIRD JOHNSON, who taught all of us to appreciate the everyday beauty in nature, and who made it her life’s 

work to spread that beauty to all corners of our Nation. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON was very much the essence of a lady, so 

much so that it was literally her name. She brought grace and light 

to the State of Texas and to Washington, DC. She was a partner 

to President Lyndon Johnson in their home on the campaign trail, 

and in the White House. 

She softened the sometimes harsh edges of President Johnson, 

who came to office in the midst of great turmoil in our Nation. It 

was the age of escalation in Vietnam, deep fears about the Soviet 

aggression around the world, great angst over civil rights in this 

Nation, and both peaceful and violent demonstrations around the 

Nation. 

In the midst of that agonizing dynamic, LADY BIRD made things 

around her prettier, and she brought light and beauty to Washington, DC, to politics, and to our Nation. 

Recently, she was so proud that the Department of Education 

Building in Washington, DC, now bears the name of her beloved 

LBJ to illustrate their mutual dedication to education. 

She was our Nation’s first environmentalist, understanding that 

the aesthetic look of our Nation meant much to our citizens—and 

the survival of the human race would depend on our care for this 

planet. 

Today, global warming has moved the environmental cause to a 

higher priority for governments and activists, but the matriarch of 

the movement was no less than President Johnson’s and the Nation’s First Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON. She loved nature and understood the relationship of Mother Earth to the long-term health 

of humanity. 

Lady Bird Johnson 39 

Mr. Speaker, LADY BIRD JOHNSON very much appreciated that 

you lead this House of Congress and occupy the seat that is third 

in line for the Presidency. She deeply understood the importance 

of this government reflecting all our people. 

Her legacy will live on in their beautiful family, in the flowers 

and beauty of the many parks that were inspired by her all over 

the Nation, and in the environmental movement that inspires us 

all to be better stewards of Mother Earth. 

The Honorable Charles B. Rangel of New York 

Mr. Speaker, the Nation lost a beloved friend and one of its most 

dedicated environmentalists on Wednesday when LADY BIRD JOHNSON passed away at the age of 94. 

Much has been written about how the classy woman from Austin 

was a calming influence on our 37th President, Lyndon B. Johnson. 

When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, LADY BIRD

stepped in and provided comfort to the Kennedy family and a grieving Nation. When civil rights legislation looked to be stalled in the 

Congress in 1964, the devoted mother of two took to the road on 

her own whistle-stop tour across the country, defending the administration’s policies and goals. 

However, her most lasting legacy can be seen any time you see 

the flowers bloom in the Capital or the colorful landscapes as you 

travel the Nation’s roads. In addition to leading clean-up efforts of 

parks and natural habitats in and around the DC area, her advocacy helped push through the $320 million Highway Beautification 

Act in 1965. The Federal legislation provided money and other incentives to reduce the number of billboards and other eyesores 

along Federal highways and expanded local programs to plant 

wildflowers and other native plants. 

Active well into her 90s, LADY BIRD JOHNSON was a role model 

for future generations. She broke the mold of what a First Lady 

could do, both during and after the White House. Her achievements 

and efforts with the National Wildlife Research Center that she 

helped establish in 1982 expanded the Nation’s interest in the environment, providing a foundation for today’s current green movement. 

Her activism and graceful presence will be missed. Yet, her smile 

and charm will always be remembered any time anyone looks at 

the beautiful landscapes and wildflowers that she championed all 

across this great land. 

40 Memorial Tributes in the House of Representatives 

The Honorable Tom Udall of New Mexico 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Mrs. 

CLAUDIA ‘‘LADY BIRD’’ JOHNSON. Her humble and steadfast devotion to public service combined with her passionate concern for environmental issues made her an icon within the environmental 

movement. Modest and kind, dedicated and courageous, her contribution to American politics will not soon be forgotten. 

As an advocate of natural habitat and wildlife protection, I greatly admired LADY BIRD’s commitment to preserving and beautifying 

America’s lands. My father, Stewart Udall, was Secretary of the Interior under President Johnson, and he credits LADY BIRD’s several 

trips to the American West and the Rocky Mountains with igniting 

her love of the environment. Her campaigns to beautify our cities 

and highways, clean our lakes and rivers, and preserve our natural 

resources catalyzed many of the environmental campaigns politicians now pursue. LADY BIRD transformed Washington DC while 

her husband was in office by planting thousands of tulips and daffodils in parks across the city and creating a national roadside 

planting program. For LADY BIRD, wildflower beautification was 

not simply cosmetic; by expanding and bolstering diverse habitats, 

her projects inspired reverence for nature and the inherent splendor of our earth. She reminded us that to enjoy life, we must sometimes stop to smell the roses. 

At age 70, she founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She said it was her way of paying back rent for the space she 

occupied in the world. This center now leads the Nation in 

wildflower research, education, and project development. 

Environmental work, however, was only part of LADY BIRD’s public service campaign. As the first First Lady to have a press secretary and a chief of staff, she cultivated her own agenda. A 

staunch supporter of civil rights, LADY BIRD’s strength, intelligence, and good judgment served as a guide and comfort for President Johnson. She also pushed for Federal legislation restricting 

billboards on Federal highways and fought for the Head Start Program. The projects she undertook always reflected her compassion, 

graciousness, and determination to make a difference. 

LADY BIRD’s compassion not only infused her political career but 

also permeated her personal life. Mother of two beautiful daughters, Luci Baines and Lynda Bird, LADY BIRD cared for her family 

with same exquisite grace she exhibited as First Lady. Luci and 

Lynda have inherited their mother’s dedication to public service. 

They have supported a variety of organizations, including Reading 

Is Fundamental, the American Heart Association, and the Center 

for Battered Women. LADY BIRD’s family and those close to her adVerDate jan 13 2004 11:53 Apr 23, 2008 Jkt 037095 PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 6041 Sfmt 0191 C:\DOCS\LBJ\37095.TXT CRS1 PsN: SKAYNE
Lady Bird Johnson 41 

mired and emulated her loving patience, tender poise, and 

unending strength. 

An environmental pioneer, a behind-the-scenes supporter and advisor for her husband, a loving mother, and a gentle soul, LADY

BIRD will be sincerely missed. LADY BIRD was a friend of my father’s, and our family will always celebrate the life of the extraordinary woman who gave so much of herself. In her various efforts 

to spread beauty and tranquility across the country, LADY BIRD has 

left this world a better place for us all. 

FRIDAY, July 27, 2007 

The Honorable Charles B. Rangel of New York 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce an article entitled ‘‘A 

Legacy of Her Own,’’ in the Washington Post on July 13, 2007. This 

op-ed tribute written by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., highlights the legacy of LADY BIRD JOHNSON. LADY BIRD JOHNSON was instrumental 

in influencing President Johnson to support the Head Start Program for low-income children in the country. She was also an influential advocate of beautification projects in the Nation’s Capital 

and throughout our country. 

LADY BIRD JOHNSON’s legacy has helped more than 20 million 

needy children since 1966 and her efforts have increased our country’s appreciation for public space. LADY BIRD JOHNSON was one of 

our Nation’s finest First Ladies and she will truly be missed. 

MONDAY, September 17, 2007 

The Honorable Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas 

. . . Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I failed to note one of President Johnson’s greatest achievements and that was winning the 

hand and heart of CLAUDIA ALTA TAYLOR, affectionately known by 

all simply as ‘‘LADY BIRD.’’ As First Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON

started a capital beautification project (Society for a More Beautiful 

National Capital) to improve physical conditions in Washington, 

DC, both for residents and tourists. Her efforts inspired similar 

programs throughout the country. She was also instrumental in 

promoting the Highway Beautification Act, which sought to beautify the Nation’s highway system by limiting billboards and by 

planting roadside areas. She was also an advocate of the Head 

Start Program. Throughout his life, LADY BIRD was LBJ’s most 

trusted advisor and confidante. And our Nation is better for it. . . . 

Æ