07/04/2007

Remembering Lady Bird Johnson
By Richard A. Jacobs

Lady Bird Johnson

Right after he left the office of the presidency, in February 1969, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird paid a brief visit to the Herbert Hoover Library in West Branch, Iowa. I was acting director of the library at that time and hosted their visit.

When they arrived at the library, Lady Bird reported that a button had fallen off her coat (it was winter in Iowa, after all) and wondered if we would loan her a needle and some thread. Iowa women are skilled, of course, and one of our staff members readily repaired the coat while Lady Bird enjoyed the museum.

I recall showing LBJ some interesting materials on Herbert Hoover when, all of a sudden, LBJ looked over his shoulder and roared, "Bird, get up here; this man's got something to tell us!"

Later in the tour, we drove out to the Hoover gravesite at the rear of the park and to begin the walk up the hill, I assumed that my duty was to take Lady Bird's arm for the short climb. What I didn't know was that LBJ walked alone behind us. The Archivist, my boss, was busily engaged with the local congressman.

Lady Bird Johnson was indeed the gracious lady that the entire world recalls. She quietly and effectively played the role of First Lady in the White House during the LBJ years and afterward continued her gracious reign as first lady in Texas for the many years that followed. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Jacobs worked for the National Archives in Washington, DC.  He is now retired and lives in Ocean Pines.