Austin's Town Lake to be Renamed Lady Bird Lake

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 00:57 AM CDT

Members of the surviving Johnson family, including daughters Luci and Lynda, will attend a ceremony during the City Council's meeting at City Hall today.

"I am delighted and not a bit surprised," said Betty Sue Flowers, director of the LBJ Library and Museum. "She was a modest woman."

...

"Lady Bird Johnson transformed Town Lake from a garbage-strewn eyesore into Austin's scenic and recreational centerpiece," said Council Member Brewster McCracken in a written statement. "Town Lake, and life in Austin, wouldn't be the same without her vision."

The Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin was renamed the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, honoring the deceased former governor earlier this year.  The two make a fitting pair in remembrance.

John Cornyn: The Final Straw

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 10:30 AM CDT

Why was Cornyn the only major public figure not at the Lady Bird funeral today? Is it because:

  * he died in a plane crash on the way
  * had a fundraiser already scheduled somewhere else
  * or is just too ideological and small a human being.

Everyone was there but him (including Rick and Anita Perry).  Everyone.  “I couldn’t make it” is no excuse.  Frail Nancy Reagan came all the way from California to join the others.  Even frailer Betty Ford sent her daughter Susan. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison was there and so was Laura Bush and Barbara Bush.

Cornyn has found the time to visit Dallas and suburban Houston to talk about how great the war is going and validate his stance on immigration policy.  Apparently there is no political upside in honoring the legacy of “Lady Bird” Johnson.

The passing of a former fist lady from Texas. What on earth could be so important that Texas's "Junior" Senator couldn't make it when so many of his political colleagues could? Where was he- Fundraising? Strategizing? Campaigning?

We as Democrats have always disagreed with Sen. Cornyn's politics. But now we as Democrats must question his priorities. In the last year we as Texas Democrats have lost three of our greatest voices- three women who have advocated against the type of politics and priorities that Cornyn holds.

We have lost Gov. Ann Richards. May she rest in peace.

We have lost Writer Molly Ivins. May she rest in peace.

We have lost First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. May she join Lyndon in peace.

There have been many great Democrats that have embodied the spirit of Texas. But slowly they are slipping away from us as time takes it's toll on the era of FDR, JFK, and LBJ. It is up to us of the modern day, the next generation, to pick up their banner and proudly march forward. It is up to us to keep that spirit alive and breathe new life into what it means to be a Texas Democrat. It is up to us.

This is the final straw. It is the beginning of the end for Junior Senator John Cornyn. And we are asking you to join us in stunning the nation when we win in November of 2008 and assert an end to the Era of George W. Bush and John Cornyn.

Our philosophy is simple, it doesn’t matter who you support as long as you support a Democrat. Whether you support attorney Mikal Watts, Lt. Col & Rep. Rick Noriega, or whomever the eventual nominee is, it is time to channel our talk and emotion into real world support to take back Texas.

You can support the eventual nominee by clicking here
or Lt. Col. Rick Noriega by clicking here
or Mikal Watts by clicking here.

BREAKING NEWS: Lady Bird Johnson Dead at 94

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 04:44 PM CDT

She died at her Austin home of natural causes about 4:18 p.m. CDT, said Elizabeth Christian, the spokeswoman. She said she was surrounded by family and friends.

She will be remember as "the former first lady who championed conservation and worked tenaciously for the political career of her husband, former President Lyndon B. Johnson."

Update by KT: I had the great honor and pleasure to meet Lady Bird last year as part of a class I took on the LBJ Presidency with Harry Middleton at the LBJ Library. I have some photos of the visit (I love this one) to the LBJ ranch, which was the topic of my term paper that's on record at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin.

I've uploaded a copy of the 20 page research paper entitled "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch..." which you can download in .doc format here. I'll try to put it up in a full text version later.

Rest in peace Lady Bird and may the roadside wildflowers of Texas live on in your memory.

Update by Matt: KEYE has some more solid coverage of Lady Bird, including a slide show, video, and comments. Check it out.