Rayburn persuaded Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 to name Johnson the national youth administrator for Texas. Two years later, a death created a vacancy in the Texas congressional delegation. With crucial support from Lady Bird, who lent his campaign $10,000 from her mother's estate, Johnson won the seat.
The young congressman lost a Senate bid in 1941. Later that year, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor sent the country into World War II, he fulfilled a campaign pledge by joining the Navy. He put Lady Bird in charge of his congressional office, which she managed efficiently. She overcame her shyness to lobby Cabinet members and other Washington officials on behalf of constituents.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday July 19, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 61 words Type of Material: Correction
Lady Bird Johnson obituary: The July 12 obituary of Lady Bird Johnson in Section A said President Lyndon B. Johnson withdrew from the 1968 presidential race with the words "I will not seek, nor will I accept, the nomination of my party...." In fact, he said: "I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination of my party ..."
With her husband away at war, Lady Bird began to consider other ways to ensure a steady family income. In 1943, using $41,000 of her inheritance, she bought KTBC, a small Austin radio station that was thousands of dollars in debt. Within two years, she turned the red ink to black through diligent, tight-fisted management. With her husband's connections in Washington, she won federal approval to double the station's transmitting power and increase its air time.
In 1952, she obtained permission to open a television station. It soon had contracts with all three major networks, and other acquisitions followed. The Johnson family would remain in the broadcast business until 2003, when it sold its last six stations for $105 million.
Lady Bird Johnson kept a steady hand on the business as company president while struggling through a difficult pregnancy. After 10 years of marriage and four miscarriages, she gave birth to Lynda Bird on March 19, 1944. Luci Baines was born July 2, 1947.
In addition to her daughters, she is survived by seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Another great-grandchild is expected in August.
Turning a blind eye
IN 1948, Lyndon Johnson realized his Senate dream, winning a disputed election by 87 votes. He rose rapidly through the ranks, from minority whip in 1951 to majority leader in 1955. In 1960, after losing his party's nomination for president, he accepted the No. 2 slot and became vice president in one of the closest presidential elections in history.
