LBJ

Saturday, we took two of our grandkids to Stonewall, Texas and the LBJ Ranch National Monument.  We first stopped in Johnson City to see the visitor center and LBJ's childhood home.

We then headed west the 14 miles to the ranch. It was so impressive. The first thing you see is the hangar where LBJ would fly in.  Since they had to fly in a small jet, LBJ nicknamed it Air Force 1/2.  The visitor center had several films on LBJ and Lady Bird. I was reminded of what this man accomplished.  In his five years in office, he signed over 1,000 pieces of legislation.  I think he took a bad rap for Vietnam and choose to remember the great things he did.

Signed the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 outlawing most forms of racial segregation and providing equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or national origin, and passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawing discrimination in voting

Appointed Thurgood Marshall as the first African American justice on the Supreme Court

Signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Higher Education Act to improve funding to schools, especially those in poor districts

Established the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts to support humanists and artists

Created programs to tackle poverty such as Head Start, food stamps, Work Study, Medicare, and Medicaid

With the inauguration coming this Friday, you have to wonder.  LBJ was crass, rude and tough but he truly believed that his role was to help lift people from poverty. What is the motivation of this new administration with the cabinet of billionaires?

I tried not to make this political but visiting the Texas White House sure brought it to the forefront.

I also remember Lady Bird's Highway Beautification Act and believe it has led to litter free highways.  She lived a long and productive life and she is honored at the ranch as well.

If you are near Austin, it is worth the trip.