[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20399]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING LADY BIRD JOHNSON

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. 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 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.

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