April 9, 2004

Luci Baines Johnson lends name, national prominence to Lindy Boggs Center

Luci Baines Johnson, the youngest daughter of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, has accepted Lindy Boggs' invitation to chair the endowment initiative for the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy. In her new capacity, Johnson will visit the Boggs Center and other literacy providers in New Orleans, April 28 and 29.

In response to a critical need in this community, the Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans was initiated in April 2001 and administered through the Boggs Center. The Literacy Alliance links together literacy providers and community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive, collaborative plan for Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany parishes. Most recently, the alliance provided the reading instructors for a program that taught employees skills needed to compete for higher-paying jobs at their companies, Bollinger Shipyards and Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital. Funds for the program came from a federal grant, administered through the city of New Orleans.

The Boggs Center is dedicated to promoting adult literacy as a vehicle for personal, economic, and community empowerment. Having Johnson serve as chair for the project will give national prominence to the campaign to fund the center.

Johnson has been involved in community issues all of her life. She serves on the Children's Hospital Foundation of Austin and the Safe Place Foundation. She is also chair of the board of LBJ Holding Company, vice president of the H.Q. Business Suites, and a member of the board of directors of LBJ Broadcasting.

For more information about Johnson's visit, contact Boggs Center Executive Director Michael Cowan at mcowan@loyno.edu or 864-7081.