Alpha Alpha Theta
Plants Red Maple in
Memory of Lady Bird Johnson

Good Morning! For those of you who do not know me, I am Tonya Dean-Catlett, Vice President of Service of the Alpha Alpha Theta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, located in Cecil College, formerly known as Cecil Community College. Members of Alpha Alpha Theta have donated this tree in memory of Lady Bird Johnson, whom passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

Lady Bird Johnson, named Claudia Alta Taylor at birth, was married to President Lyndon Baines Johnson. As all First Ladies have a cause they support, Lady Bird chose to devote most of her time and energy to “Keep America Beautiful.” This organization was founded in 1953, but it was Mrs. Johnson's die hard efforts that made it a success from the sixties until the present, and spread the ideologies nationwide. “Keep America Beautiful” has a mission to beautify America’s open spaces. This means to create a litter free, graffiti free environment that is beautified with wildflowers, which Mrs. Johnson adored, and trees. This organization contributed largely to Mrs. Johnson's philosophy “Natural beauty is much more than cosmetics.” It is better for us to pick up after ourselves and not just throw things on the ground, than to go around thinking that it looks good lying there. Mrs. Johnson, according to the associated press, “wanted roadside billboards and junkyards replaced with wildflowers.” Betty Ford shared “…She translated her love for the land and the environment into a lifetime of achievement” (Associated Press).

Our chapter has been to two park clean ups. The first clean up was at Meadow Park, the day after July 4th firework display. We all enjoy going to the fireworks, but who do we think cleans all of our trash off the lots to keep it appealing to the public? The town maintenance people clean up, plant trees, and keep everything running smooth. We took a group of 23 people to Meadow Park and cleaned up the park, after the Elkton maintenance crew picked up four bags of trash Tuesday evening. That’s a lot of trash. Our last clean up project was at the Turkey Point lighthouse trail in Elk Neck State Park, which was Friday, July 13, 2007. I am pleased to inform you that people do not litter there as much as at our parks. We mostly picked up cigarette butts. There were seven of us on that outing. What we did find that was a concern, was pen and carvings on a bench. When we were kids, we thought this was cool! As adults, we learn that this damages things. It makes a beautiful environment look crummy. People can become and often do feel offended by things written on bridges, benches, backs of buildings, bathroom stalls, etc. We need to stop this and keep our neighborhoods and communities beautiful.

Today, here we stand, ready to plant this tree, we’ve so proudly named “Lady Bird” in the memory of the lady who thought it best to keep our towns and communities looking as good as we possibly can, a lady who without her, no one would know about “Keeping America Beautiful” and what it stands for, a lady who’s undying effort will never be forgotten, Lady Bird Johnson. What are we going to do after this moment? Planting this tree is nice, but there is trash and graffiti all around us, even in the small community. What are we going to do about it? Some of us will go home and do nothing. Some of us will go home and think, but forward their thought to someone else. Some of us will choose to make a difference, but need help getting started.

Some things that can be done are:

• When the big events are going on, hand out litter bags to the families, so they have something to put their trash in.
• Do not allow our children to write on things that belong to the public. Create public awareness.
• Realize that even with the help of one person, it has still made a difference. If you are the only one contributing, without your contribution there would be none. One is much better than none.
• Pick up trash around you. Take a Food Lion, Dollar Store bag with you when you go for a walk. Pick up litter as you see it.
• Teach children to pick up trash after themselves.
• Plant flowers and trees.
• Keep America Beautiful.

If we do all of this together than we can help to fulfill this statement of Brian Williams of NBC News. “ Her legacy will be much discussed in the days to come—her activism, the advice and counsel she gave to her husband, [and most importantly] her beautification efforts.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, North East Town Maintenance, it is an honor to present to you, “Lady Bird”, this red maple tree to be planted on this day, Monday, July 16, 2007.

Thank you.