Lyndon Johnson
The Public Record
Lyndon Baines Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1969. A member of the Democratic Party, he was born in Texas and began his political career as a U.S. Representative in 1937, later becoming a U.S. Senator in 1949. Johnson ascended to the presidency following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and his administration is noted for significant domestic policies, including the Great Society programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. His legislative achievements included the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid.
Every man and woman in this land is so proud and so grateful that God, in His just and wise way, has given you the opportunity to see fulfilled the wisdom of your own vision and the rightness of your own courage.
Where government is based on the consent of the governed, every citizen is entitled to have complete confidence in the integrity of his government.
Freedom, as always, demands courage and unyielding vigilance and, occasionally, the life of a man.
Of course, there will be difficulties, but they can be overcome by determination founded on belief.
In all of this America shared; by failing to support the League and by standing apart from the troubles of Europe.
Of course there will be differences among us, but they can be resolved through reason founded on respect.
America keeps her promises. And we will back up those promises with all the resources that we need.
We must all--Americans and Europeans-vow never to repeat the errors which have led to disaster.
We will do whatever must be done to insure the safety of South Viet-Nam from aggression.
We must not now forget in success and abundance the lessons we learned in danger and isolation.
But on the whole, this 20 years has been a time of shining achievement, of promises realized, of hopes fulfilled.
Her waters have seen many a great captain, many goods, and dozens of armies make the passage.
And, with our help, Europe is better able to resist domination--from within or without--than ever before.
Thus, the European nations have found strength and prosperity in building communities that stretch beyond old frontiers.
I direct the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Marine Corps, and the Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the Coast Guard, to designate that day each year for appropriate observances.
I call upon my fellow Americans to display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day.
I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, to provide for the observance of Armed Forces Day…





