Former US First Lady Lady Bird Johnson Dies

By Greg Flakus Houston 12 July 2007

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Former First Lady and environment champion Lady Bird Johnson has died at her home in Texas. The widow of President Lyndon Johnson was 94 and had been in failing health for some time. VOA's Greg Flakus has more about this remarkable woman in this report from our Houston bureau.

Lady Bird Johnson (2002 photo)

Although she came to prominence as the wife of a president, Lady Bird Johnson was regarded as a woman of great influence in her own right. She was a strong advocate for such programs as Headstart, to help underprivileged children succeed in school, and environmental protection. As first lady, she started a program of highway beautification that eliminated billboards from some stretches of federal roadways.

She was born Claudia Alta Taylor and acquired the nickname Lady Bird at birth when a nurse described the infant as pretty as a lady bird. She was considered shy while growing up in the small east-Texas town of Karnack, but she blossomed when she attended the University of Texas in Austin. That is where she met then congressional aide Lyndon Johnson, who proposed to her on their second date as Mrs. Johnson later recalled in a TV interview. "I think we both knew that we were better together than we were, or would be, apart," she said.

Mrs. Johnson helped her husband both morally and financially in his first run for Congress and was at his side in 1960 as he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. He lost that to Massachusetts senator John F Kennedy, who later asked him to run with him in the vice presidential position. Kennedy won the election and Johnson became vice president. On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas and Mr. Johnson was thrust into the White House. Lady Bird had now become first lady of a land in mourning.

During her time in Washington, Lady Bird Johnson became known as a strong woman with southern charm and a genteel manner. As first lady she developed her own office within the White House, with two news media representatives to help her champion her causes with the public.

President Johnson chose not to run for re-election in 1968, amid growing discord over the Vietnam war. After he left office in January, 1969, he and Lady Bird retired to his family ranch in the Texas hill country, west of Austin.

After President Lyndon Johnson died in 1973, Mrs. Johnson continued her advocacy of environmental projects and helped establish a wildflower center in Austin that bears her name.

Lady Bird Johnson is survived by her two daughters, Lynda Bird Robb, wife of former Virginia Senator Chuck Robb, and Luci Baines Turpin, as well as seven grandchildren.

US Food Safety Official: China Takes Problem Seriously

By Stephanie Ho Washington 11 July 2007

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The top U.S. food safety official says he believes the Chinese government is serious about improving the quality of its food products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's David Acheson spoke Wednesday following a series of scandals involving tainted products from China. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Washington.

The safety of a wide range of Chinese products is global headline news these days.

Patients in Panama died from poisonous ingredients in medicines made in China. In the United States, American consumers have contended with tainted pet food, contaminated toothpaste and a U.S. government alert on imports of seafood products from China.

Head of China's food and drug agency, Zheng Xiaoyu, executed for taking bribes (March 4, 2003 photo)

On Tuesday, China executed the head of the its food and drug agency. He was accused of taking bribes to certify fake and substandard drugs.

In an interview in Washington Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's David Acheson says the move shows that Beijing does take the issue of contaminated food and drugs seriously.

"But simply executing somebody typically isn't going to solve the problem," he said. "They [problems] are typically more complex than that. I do not believe it is one person who has messed up here. It is an infrastructure struggle."

This view is supported by Jeffrey Bader, director of the Brookings Institution's China Institute. He says the Chinese government lacks a system of transparency, which has proven to be an obstacle for U.S. officials trying to get more information about contaminated or unsafe products that come from China.

"And the experience of the USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture], the FDA [Food and Drug Administration], the U.S. embassy, was pretty similar - that they get essentially no response, or opacity, from the [Chinese] authorities and from the manufacturers," said Bader. "And, now that China is fully integrated into the global production chain, that is not satisfactory."

China Wednesday announced strict new food and drug safety measures that call for the country's estimated 450,000 uncertified food producing operations to be certified by 2012.

The Food and Drug Administration's Acheson says Beijing will have a difficult time regulating so many producers, especially since most of them are small and employ fewer than 10 people. But he said he is convinced China has its own incentives to address the problem.

"They want to fix it," he said. "I think they want to fix it. I mean, what's the driver? I'm sure for China, they're looking at it from an economic perspective, as much as anything else."

Acheson said U.S. concern for the safety of food imports from China is not new. He added that food safety problems are not unique to China and stressed that the U.S. government is not singling out the Asian nation for special attention.

US Senate Republican Opposition to Bush Strategy in Iraq Continues to Grow

By Deborah Tate Capitol Hill 11 July 2007

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U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe is the latest Senate Republican to break with President Bush on his strategy in Iraq. She is cosponsoring legislation calling for a withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by April of next year. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

Olympia Snowe (2006 photo)

Senator Snowe, a Maine Republican, says she is backing the legislation because Iraqi leaders have failed to make the necessary compromises toward establishing a unity government.

Under the measure, which has been proposed as an amendment to a defense policy bill, U.S. troops would begin pulling out of Iraq within 120 days.

Several other Republicans have said they would support the measure, including Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on its version of the legislation on Thursday.

Harry Reid (16 Feb 2007)

The Senate's top Democrat, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, hopes that growing Republican opposition to the unpopular war will help force a change in strategy in Iraq. He is using the defense bill as a vehicle for that change.

"This Department of Defense authorization bill and the amendments that will be offered to it are the next chance we have to chart a responsible new course out of Iraq," he said.

But it remains to be seen whether enough Republicans back the proposed timeline for a troop withdrawal.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, echoing comments made by President Bush a day earlier, urged lawmakers to wait to assess the war until they receive a briefing from the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, in September.

"We should wait for that assessment before rushing to judgment," he said.

McConnell and other Republican leaders are vowing to try to block anti-war amendments from coming to a vote.

On Wednesday, they successfully blocked an amendment sponsored by Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, which called for requiring active-duty troops to spend as much time at home as they do on deployments. Currently, Army soldiers who deploy for 15 months get just 12 months at home.

UN Chief Says Darfur Remains his Highest Priority

By Sonja Pace London 11 July 2007

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United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says stopping the killing and finding a political solution in the Darfur region of Sudan remain his highest priorities. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London, the U.N. chief has been meeting with Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair.

Ban Ki-moon at London's Chatham House, 11 Jul 2007

Speaking at London's prestigious Chatham House research center, U.N. chief, Ban Ki-moon described the humanitarian crisis in Darfur as "devastating," and said the world can no longer accept further delays in the peace process.

"The tragic cycle of violence has been allowed to continue for too long," he said. "I think the people in Darfur have suffered too much. The international community has waited too long."

After increasing international pressure, the Sudanese government last month agreed to allow a combined 20,000-strong peacekeeping force, made up of the U.N. and the African Union, into Darfur. Mr. Ban said this was progress.

Condoleezza Rice

Speaking in Washington Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned, however, that the Khartoum government must not be allowed to continue playing what she called a cat and mouse game over ending the violence.

It is estimated that some 200,000 people have died in Darfur's ethnic and political conflict since 2003.

In London, Mr. Ban also met with the new Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair. Mr. Blair has been named the representative of the Middle East Quartet, which is made up of the United States, the European Union, the U.N. and Russia.

Mr. Ban said there is widespread concern about the Palestinian factional fighting and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. He also expressed concern over the divisive political situation in Lebanon and the ongoing violence in Iraq. And he issued a warning.

"However [much] military action may be effective, there is always a limitation unless they are accompanied by political dialogue and reconciliation amongst themselves," he said.

Mr. Ban cited a number of other global issues the U.N. is dealing with, including North Korea, Iran and terrorism. And he cited another problem that, he said, concerns all of mankind - climate change.

"I'm convinced that this challenge and what we do about it will define us, our era and ultimately our global legacy," said Ban.

Mr. Ban cautioned that the U.N. cannot be everywhere and cannot provide all the answers, but he said it can provide a forum for finding solutions.

VOASE0711_Education Report

11 July 2007

Students Do Not Always Like Being Told What to Wear (Duh!)
A look at clothing policies in American schools.

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This is the VOA Special English Education Report.

Students in uniform at a Texas middle school

A listener in Fukuoka, Japan, Shinji Abe, would like to know about school uniform policies in the United States.

American schoolchildren often wear uniforms if they attend religious or other private schools. Most public schools do not require uniforms. But over the last ten years or so, more of them have moved in that direction, including high schools.

Students may have to wear a specially purchased uniform. Or they may just have to dress alike -- for example, white shirts and dark colored pants or skirts.

Even schools that do not require uniforms generally have a dress code or other rules about what they consider acceptable. Policies commonly ban clothing that shows offensive images or words, or simply too much skin. Items like hats may be restricted because, for example, different colors may be connected with violent gangs.

Some parents like the idea of uniforms. Some say it means they do not have to spend as much on clothing for their kids. Others, though, argue that uniforms represent an unnecessary cost. There are also debates about whether uniforms or other dress policies violate civil rights.

Students and parents have taken legal action against school dress requirements. Just last week, a judge blocked a middle school in Napa, California, from enforcing a dress code unless families have a way out of it.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California brought the case for the families of several students who were punished. Most attention centered on a girl who wore socks with the Tigger character from Winnie the Pooh.

The school said its clothing policy, including no pictures of any kind, was needed to control a growing problem with gangs. The families argued that the policy violated free speech rights as guaranteed by the United States and California constitutions.

The United States Supreme Court says student expression is protected as long as it does not harm the work and discipline of a school.

Americans value individual freedom. But some educators believe dressing alike helps improve student learning. They believe that uniforms help create a sense of unity and reduce the risk of fights. They also say uniforms make it easier for security reasons to tell if someone belongs at the school or not.

But just how effective are school uniform policies? Studies have found mixed results. That will be our subject next week.

And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. I'm Steve Ember.

VOASE0711_The Making of a Nation

11 July 2007

US History: George Herbert Walker Bush Is Elected President in 1988
For a time after the party conventions, it appeared that a majority of Americans would vote for Michael Dukakis. But then he began to lose popularity. Bush succeeded in making him look weak on crime and defense.

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VOICE ONE:

This is Rich Kleinfeldt.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Tony Riggs with THE MAKING OF A NATION -- a VOA Special English program about the history of the United States.

(MUSIC)

Today, we tell the story about the presidential election of nineteen eighty-eight.

VOICE ONE:

America's fortieth president, Ronald Reagan, was one of the most popular. During his eight years in office, many Americans did well financially. Many felt more secure about the future of the nation and the world. The threat of nuclear war did not seem so strong or frightening.

American law does not permit presidents to serve more than two terms. So, in nineteen eighty-eight, the country prepared to elect a new one.

VOICE TWO:

There were three main candidates for the Republican Party nomination. They were George Bush, Robert Dole, and Pat Robertson. Bush had just served eight years as vice-president. Dole was the top Republican in the Senate. Robertson was a very conservative Christian who had a nation-wide television program.

George Bush gained from Ronald Reagan's popularity. Reagan's successes were seen as Bush's successes, too. Neither Robert Dole nor Pat Robertson won enough votes in local primary elections to threaten Bush. He was nominated on the first vote at the party convention. The delegates accepted his choice for vice president, Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana.

VOICE ONE:

Eight candidates competed for the Democratic Party's nomination. One was Michael Dukakis. He was governor of Massachusetts. Another was Jesse Jackson. He was a Protestant clergyman and a long-time human rights activist. He had competed for the nomination four years earlier.

In nineteen eighty-eight, Jesse Jackson received about twenty-five percent of the votes in local primary elections. But he did not win his party's nomination. Delegates at the convention chose Governor Dukakis, instead. For vice president, they chose Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

Vice President Bush debates Michael Dukakis

For a time after the party conventions, public opinion studies showed that a majority of Americans would vote for Dukakis. Then, however, Dukakis began to lose popularity. Political observers said he campaigned too long in his home area before starting the national campaign.

Dukakis also suffered from criticism from George Bush. Bush attacked his record as governor. He said Dukakis had not been severe enough with criminals. He said Dukakis would weaken America’s military power and he accused Dukakis of not protecting the environment.

VOICE ONE:

Governor Dukakis made charges of his own. He accused Bush of not telling the truth about his part in what was called the Iran-Contra case. He said Bush knew that the government had sold weapons to Iran in exchange for Iran's support in winning the release of American hostages in Lebanon. And he said Bush knew that the money received for the weapons was being used illegally to aid Contra rebels in Nicaragua. He also criticized Bush for being part of an administration that reduced social services to poor people and old people.

VOICE TWO:

Television played a large part in the campaign of nineteen eighty-eight. Each candidate made a number of short television films. Some of these political advertisements were strong, bitter attacks on the other candidate. Sometimes it seemed the candidates spent as much time on negative campaign advertisements as they did on advertisements that made themselves look good.

In the end, Bush's campaign was more effective. He succeeded in making Dukakis look weak on crime and military issues. He succeeded in making himself look stronger and more decisive.

On Election Day in November, Bush defeated Dukakis by almost seven million popular votes.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

George Herbert Walker Bush is sworn into office. His wife, Barbara, is beside him.

George Bush was sworn-in on January twentieth, nineteen eighty-nine. In his inaugural speech he said:

BUSH: "No president, no government can teach us to remember what is best in what we are. But if the man you have chosen to lead this government can help make a difference, if he can celebrate the quieter, deeper successes that are made -- not of gold and silk, but of better hearts and finer souls -- if he can do these things, then he must ... We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world. My friends, we have work to do."

VOICE TWO:

George Bush had led a life that prepared him for public service and leadership. His father had served as a United States senator.

When America entered World War Two, George decided to join the Navy. He became a pilot of bomber planes. He was just eighteen years old -- at that time the youngest pilot the Navy ever had. He fought against the Japanese in the Pacific battle area. He completed many dangerous bombing raids. He was shot down once and was rescued by an American submarine.

VOICE ONE:

George came home from the war as a hero. He became a university student and got married. He and his wife, Barbara, then moved to Texas where he worked in the oil business. He ran for the United States Senate in nineteen sixty-four, and lost. Two years later, he was elected to the House of Representatives.

He ran for the Senate again in nineteen seventy, and lost again. But by that time, he had gained recognition. Over the next eight years, he was appointed to a series of government positions. He was ambassador to the United Nations. He was chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was America's representative in China before the two countries had diplomatic relations. And he was head of the Central Intelligence Agency.

VOICE TWO:

In nineteen eighty, Bush competed against Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination for president. He lost. But the party chose him to be its vice presidential candidate. Bush gained more power in the position than many earlier vice presidents. After two terms, he felt ready to lead the nation.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

The new president took seven foreign trips during his first year in office. Observers said his visit to Europe in the spring was especially successful. President Bush met with the leaders of the other countries in NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He proposed a major agreement on reducing troops and non-nuclear weapons in Europe. The Soviet Union called this proposal a serious and important step in the right direction.

VOICE TWO:

In June, the government of China crushed pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing. President Bush ordered some restrictions against China to protest the situation. Many critics, however, felt that this action was not strong enough.

Unlike in China, communist governments in central and eastern Europe were not able to prevent the coming of democracy. Since nineteen eighty-seven, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had permitted members of the Warsaw Alliance to experiment with political and economic reforms. Reforms were not enough, however. One after the other, these countries rejected communism. Communist governments were removed from office in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

VOICE ONE:

In the middle of the summer, President Bush visited Hungary and Poland. Both nations were trying to reform their economies. Both were suffering from severe problems as they changed from a centrally controlled economy to an economy controlled by free market forces. President Bush promised America's advice and financial help. For almost fifty years, the United States had led the struggle against communism around the world. Now, many of its former enemies needed help.

VOICE TWO:

In the autumn of nineteen eighty-nine, there was a dramatic expression of the changes taking place in the world.

On November ninth, East Germany opened the wall that had divided it from the West since nineteen sixty-one. Within days, citizens and soldiers began tearing it down. The fall of the Berlin Wall ended almost fifty years of fear and tension between democratic nations and the Soviet Union. All over the world, people renewed their hopes and dreams of living in peace. And former enemies looked to the United States to lead the way.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

This program of THE MAKING OF A NATION was written by Jeri Watson and produced by Paul Thompson. This is Rich Kleinfeldt.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Tony Riggs. Join us again next week for another VOA Special English program about the history of the United States.