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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

America loses a great First Lady with the death of Lady Bird Johnson

Very sad news today:
Lady Bird Johnson, the former first lady who championed conservation and worked tenaciously for the political career of her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, died Wednesday, a family spokeswoman said. She was 94.

Johnson, who suffered a stroke in 2002 that affected her ability to speak, returned home late last month after a week at Seton Medical Center, where she'd been admitted for a low-grade fever.
Lady Bird was a fine American, a kind, caring patriot, and believer in Democratic values. She appreciated the United States' natural beauty, worked to help disadvantaged children, and left an impression on our nation's capitol. She will be greatly missed.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Johnson family and close friends.

The Johnson Library has put up a "final tribute" page which we urge you to visit.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement:
“With the death of Lady Bird Johnson, Texas has lost one of its favorite daughters, and our nation has lost one of its finest first ladies. Lady Bird Johnson was one of our nation’s greatest, and first, environmentalists – decades ahead of her time. She understood that beautifying the nation was about more than simple aesthetics, but also quality of life – in both urban and rural areas, and for both the rich and the poor.

Her support for civil rights helped to ensure that the 1960s were a time of great progress toward the ideal of equality on which our country was founded. Her impact in the fight against poverty and in support of early childhood education in America, through her support for initiatives such as Head Start, endures today.

I hope it is a comfort to the many people who loved her, especially her two daughters, Lynda Bird Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, that so many of us are grieving their loss and praying for them in this sad time.”
The Houston Chronicle has more reactions.

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