[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MOURNING THE PASSING OF FORMER FIRST LADY, LADY BIRD JOHNSON

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                               speech of

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2007

  Mr. ORTIZ. 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 comers 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 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 mean 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.
  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.

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