Thursday, July 19, 2007

CONTACT: Josh Spradling
1-800-CLEAN-TX

Special Edition Ornament Dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson
New Keep Texas Beautiful Ornament Honors
Former First Lady’s Passion for Beautification and Preservation

(AUSTIN, TEXAS) – In honor of her commitment to preserving our country’s wildflowers, Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is pleased to dedicate its fourth edition ornament to Lady Bird Johnson. The ornament, which was officially unveiled on July 12 at the 40 th Annual KTB Conference, features a gorgeous bouquet of Texas wildflowers imposed over the state of Texas.

More than any other person, Lady Bird Johnson inspired not only Texans, but every American to treasure wildflowers and value the uniqueness they bring to their community. She was instrumental in the passage of the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 and served on the National Park Service’s advisory board.

This special ornament commemorates Lady Bird’s work and includes a descriptive insert detailing her efforts to preserve our natural environment.

“ Lady Bird has made a significant impact on how we see our state and nation,” KTB board member and 2004 Keep America Beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Award winner Donna Albus says. “The landscape has been changed forever because of her passion to showcase the magnificence of each state’s native wildflowers.  KTB’s fourth edition ornament was created to honor her and her great influence in spreading beauty and caring for the environment.   KTB and its community affiliates strive every day to continue her work.”

This spring, a mockup of the ornament was sent to the Johnson family, including Lady Bird herself. Luci Baines Johnson said her mother was delighted with the honor and looked forward to receiving her own copy later in the year.

Now, you can order your own copy and remember “ Texas’ own Wildflower.” Proceeds from sales of the fourth edition ornament help fund KTB’s statewide network of affiliates who focus on litter prevention, waste reduction, and community beautification programs. The ornament was designed by Nelda Laney, who has designed ornaments for numerous Texas organizations and causes over the years, including KTB’s first, second, and third edition ornaments.

Orders for all four editions of the ornament can be made through a downloadable order form at www.ktb.org or over the phone at 1-800-CLEAN-TX.

Keep Texas Beautiful , a statewide grassroots community improvement and environmental nonprofit and affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, strives to educate and engage Texans to take responsibility for improving their community environment. KTB and its more than 340 affiliates work with government, businesses, civic groups, and volunteers to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. For more information on programs and events, call 1-800-CLEAN-TX or visit www.ktb.org.

# # #

Photo and order information here