Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Lady Bird Johnson, Austin hero missed and praised




I know quite a bit about Lady Bird Johnson. I've read her diaries, and many books about her husband. I didn't realize how great her stature was in Texas, or at least in Austin, until I arrived in town, just one week after her funeral. Everywhere in Austin are posters, banners, and signs commemorating her life. Here is a snapshot of one I saw at La Pena on Congress Street:



At the Concert to Save Town Lake, many of the speakers praised her efforts to beautify Texas. In particular, Lady Bird loved Town Lake and was instrumental in having all the hike and bike trails, and gardens built there. In fact, it sounds like they are considering naming Town Lake after her. In any case, speaker after speaker praised her for her charm, wit, warmth and envionmental activism. She is indeed missed.

Town Lake is actually the Colorado River, or rather the Colorado River between two dams. It is a huge park, with 10 miles of trails, and lots of wildflowers, and really the centerpiece of Austin.
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