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.
May 3, 1965
South Viet-Nam has been attacked by North Viet-Nam. It has asked our help.
May 3, 1965
Whether it be in Viet-Nam, where a brave people struggle for their own freedom, or whether it is in the Dominican Republic, where the spoilers of freedom have plundered and killed, this Nation--your country--will do what is right, and will…
May 3, 1965
This is the firm and the irrevocable commitment of our people and our Nation, whatever the risk and whatever the cost.
May 3, 1965
Therefore, I am giving serious consideration to asking the Congress to appropriate at an early date an additional $700 million to meet the mounting military needs primarily in Viet-Nam and such expenses as we have had in the Dominican…
May 3, 1965
For all of my public life, when I am in need of light I turn to the REA.
May 3, 1965
That alliance is one of our great assurances that the failures of the first half of our century will not be repeated in the last half of our century.
May 3, 1965
Today, in a figurative sense if not a literal one, I am very proud and very happy on behalf of all the American Nation to salute you as a distinguished officer and a most distinguished American.
May 3, 1965
We are giving that help, we are giving it because of our commitments, because of our principles, and because we believe that our national interest demands it.
May 3, 1965
I am convinced that when the history of the 30th century is finally written it will be a century remembered throughout all the ages for the constructive efforts toward peace, rather than for the destructive enterprises of war.
May 3, 1965
We know that we must find some way, somehow, a path to peaceful settlement.
May 3, 1965
Once our promise is broken in one place, even though it is a little country called South Viet-Nam, America's promise is worthless in all places.
May 3, 1965
Whatever we are doing in faraway places--many with strange-sounding names--we are doing it not for power, not for territory, not for dominion, or not for influence.
May 3, 1965
We will do, though, what must be done and we will do only what must be done.
May 1, 1965
We hope to see a government freely chosen by the will of all the people.
May 1, 1965
Our forces, American forces, were ordered in immediately to protect American lives.
May 1, 1965
The American nations cannot, must not, and will not permit the establishment of another Communist government in the Western Hemisphere.
Politicians like Lyndon Johnson
