[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF LADY BIRD JOHNSON

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                          HON. LAMAR S. SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a resolution to 
recognize the 90th birthday of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. 
Lady Bird Johnson has made many contributions to this country.
  One of the most visible is her dedication to the preservation of the 
environment, especially her efforts to beautify our Nation's highways 
with a legacy of wildflowers.
  In 1982, Mrs. Johnson founded the National Wildflower Research 
Center, which later was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower 
Center, in Austin, Texas. The center is dedicated to the conservation 
and restoration of native plants in natural and planned landscapes.
  My congressional district includes the Hill Country of Texas, which 
encompasses Stonewall, Texas, the home of Mrs. Johnson. Each year with 
spring's arrival, the Hill Country's fields, hillsides and riverbanks 
shed their drab winter austerity for the vibrant hues of wildflowers.
  Lady Bird Johnson was the recipient of the nation's highest civilian 
award, the Medal of Freedom and, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan 
awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal.
  I commend Lady Bird Johnson's efforts to preserve the landscape of 
this country and we send her best wishes on her 90th birthday.

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