Claudia "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Claudia "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, during and after her husband's time in the White House, was involved with several environmental initiatives, which continue to make an impact decades later. The paper describes Lady Bird's efforts to make cities and highways throughout the U.S. more beautiful and relates that Lady Bird promoted legislation to protect the environment, although today not all laws remain in place. The writer also states that, as other first ladies, Lady Bird Johnson also knew that her place was to support her husband on his own personal issues.

Outline:
Introduction
Each First Lady Had Something of Her Own on which to Work, be in Healthcare, the Arts or Social Services
Lady Bird Johnson, Wife of Lyndon, Had Her Own Personal Issue
As Other First Ladies, She Will Always be Remembered for her Impact
Environment, the One Word to Sum up Lady Bird's Contribution
Quote: "Ugliness is so Grim..."
Beauty without and within People is her Legacy
Scenic America Considers Her its Spiritual Godmother and Inspiration
History behind Beautification Legislation
Bird Started the Committee for a More Beautiful Campaign Due to Run-Down and Decrepit Conditions in Washington, D.C.
Effort Grew from Cross City, to Neighborhood to Neighborhood to Across the U.S.
Her Committee Planted Trees and Flowers at Major Landmarks, and They Still Remain Today
As Momentum Increased, Wildflowers Began Replacing Ugly Billboards across the Country, and the Media Followed Her Ongoing Clean-Up Act
Despite Cynicism about Big Industry and Loop Holes, Legislation was Passed
Further Environmental Movements
She Pushed Hard from the Wilderness Act of 1964, Land, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and Expansion of National Parks
Made Littering A Public Acknowledged Problem and Led to Increase in Anti-Pollution Culture in 1970s
In 1982, National Wildlife Research Center
Grand Canyon and National Concerns
Problems Reappeared, as with any Legislation
Some states have Reneged on Billboard Usage; Others Continue the Fight
Still Better Than Situation Would Have Been
Conclusion--Why She Did It. Quotes.

From the Paper:

"Unfortunately, as with many laws, the Highway Beautification legislation was not tight enough to keep the large concerns from moving through the loop holes, and the small concerns, as those along Route 66, to suffer the consequence. Time went on, and the number of billboards continued to grow. Today, the billboard blight is worse in some states than others and environmental groups actively work together to keep additional laws from making matters worse."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Harrop, Froma. July 25, 2007. Seattle Times. Lady Bird Johnson left her mark on America's highways. 28, July 2007.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003804220_harrop25.html
• Holley, Joe. July 15, 2007.Washington Post. Lady Bird's Washington. Johnson's Beautification Efforts Transformed a Once-Drab City Into a Capital of Visual Distinction. 28 July, 2007 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2007/07/14/AR2007071401085_pf.htm
• Miller Center Public Affairs. 2007. University of Virginia. 28 July, 2007. http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/Ampres/essays/lbjohnson/firstlad y
• PBS. 2007. Shattered Dreams. Lady Bird Johnson. 28 July 2007 http://www.pbs.org/ladybird/shattereddreams/shattereddreams_report.html
• Scenic America. 2007. The Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson. 28 July, 2007.http://www.scenic.org/billboards/ladybird

More papers on Claudia "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson:

• Essay # 68219 : "The Presidency of Lyndon Johnson"
• Analytical Essay # 143227 : "Charles Taylor's Liberalism: A "Fusion Of Horizons"
• Analytical Essay # 130485 : "Bird's Nest Soup and Culture"

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