Top: Lynda Robb and Luci Baines Johnson with a replica of the plaque honoring their mother, Lady Bird Johnson. Bottom: Haskell Simon, Matagorda County rice farmer, also was honored for his efforts on behalf of the Colorado River.

Media contact: Krista Umscheid, 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3365

AUSTIN -- The late Lady Bird Johnson and Matagorda County native Haskell L. Simon were inducted into LCRA’s Walk of Honor today as friends, family and guests assembled at LCRA’s Austin headquarters to pay lasting tribute to their efforts on behalf of the Colorado River.

“Long before we heard the term global warming, Lady Bird knew there were flower beds to plant and roadsides to clean, and parklands to develop, and wildflowers to cultivate, and neighborhoods to revitalize,” Beal said. “She realized that everyday Americans must be taught to see that natural beauty is our greatest resource and must be protected if we are to thrive as a culture and as a healthy world in the future.”

Individualized plaques will be placed permanently along a walkway leading to LCRA’s General Office Complex, a tradition dating to 1993 when LCRA employee Colleen Reed was memorialized. In 1996 LCRA decided to use the Walk of Honor as a way to salute individuals who have given their time and expertise to make Texas a better place to live, especially along the Colorado River.

Previous inductees are Congressman J.J. “Jake” Pickle, Tex Robertson, Henry Umscheid, Fritz Engelhard, Gov. John Connally Jr. and Quentin Martin.

Mrs. Johnson’s daughters, Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Robb, attended the event along with other Johnson family members. Matagorda County officials also attended.

LCRA General Manager Joe Beal said that Mrs. Johnson was ahead of her time as an environmental leader, showing the country how important clean water and air and natural beauty are to the public good.

Lady Bird Johnson's daughters Lynda Robb (left) and Luci Baines Johnson (in red) look over a new plaque dedicated Tuesday with LCRA Chair Ray Wilkerson and General Manager Joe Beal. A portrait of the late Lady Bird Johnson is to the right.

Simon is a longtime advocate for interests of the Colorado River, a rice farmer since the 1970s and a local and regional leader. For decades he has volunteered his time on issues ranging from upstream and downstream water use, water quality and supply, rice farming and other agribusiness, the environment and wildlife.

Beal likened Simon to a secretary of state, who for decades has gone about his own personal form of shuttle diplomacy as a friend of the Colorado River. “In Matagorda County, he is known as the go-to guy for information on rice, the Colorado River, groundwater, coastal bays and estuaries and beaches and sand dunes,” Beal said.

Other speakers included John Dickerson, LCRA Board member from Matagorda County; Linda Raun, LCRA Board member from Wharton County; Ray A. Wilkerson, LCRA Board chair; and George Deshotels, Precinct 2 Matagorda County commissioner.