Happy Birthday President Lyndon Johnson
Dear Editor,
The late President Lyndon Johnson birthday was born on August 27, 1908. Many remember him for succeeding President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
Others remember him for his domestic Great Society Program, which included Civil Rights, Medicare, Medicaid, War on Poverty and Public Broadcasting. There was also foreign policy, most notably the Vietnam War.
Few remember that the success of public transportation can be traced back to one of President Johnson’s greatest accomplishments that continues to benefit many Americans today.
On July 9th, 1964, he signed the “Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964” into law.
Subsequently, this has resulted in the investment of several hundred billion dollars into public transportation under grants from the Federal Transit Administration (prior to 1991 known as the Urban Mass Transit Administration).
Millions of Americans today utilize various public transportation alternatives.
They include local and express bus, ferry, jitney, light rail, subway and commuter rail services.
Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy. Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make.
Sincerely,
Larry Penner
Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office.
This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for the MTA, NYC Transit bus and subway, Staten Island Rail Road, Long Island and Metro North Rail Roads, MTA Bus, NICE Bus, NYC Department of Transportation, PATH, New Jersey Transit along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ.
About The Author
