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.
I hereby create a Board of Inquiry, consisting of Honorable Herbert Schmertz, as Chairman, Honorable James J. Healy, and Honorable Theodore W. Kheel, as Members, whom I hereby appoint to inquire into the issues involved in such disputes.
I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.
In fact, just to show you that I really mean it, I added a good deal to my budget this year by insisting on a pay raise for all of you.
I am very pleased today to welcome Secretary General Brosio to this house.
I would have you know again that America's commitment to this alliance is real, firm, and substantial.
We came here today in the work of the great alliance for peace which is NATO.
For us in the United States NATO is a tested and a recognized cornerstone of United States foreign policy.
Since General LeMay is here with us today, all of you really represent a great monument to his thinking and to his planning.
America seeks a growing partnership of freedom, a partnership that is based on shared respect of reality and shared responsibility for effective defense.
American security depends on the security of the alliance as a whole, and the alliance in turn depends upon the strategic strength of the United States.
The security of our alliance is only assured so long as we remain determined and strong and insist on protecting our people and their values.
So let me say, General, simply, as we begin our visit, that this enormous strength has only one purpose, and that purpose is to keep the peace for free men everywhere in the world.
Prudence and progress are the watchwords of this administration that serves you now.
For we have kept America on the move--we have been meeting our needs, we have been solving our problems, we have been fulfilling the hopes of our people.
In the American character there are those qualities of prudence and progress.
This session of the Congress has been the most productive and the most constructive in all American history.
Because I have always, and I will always, put the peace and security of America, the peace and security of my country, ahead of the interests of the Democratic Party.
It is not any problem to start a war. That is the easiest thing in the world.
For I pledge you--and hear these words-that the next Johnson administration will follow the course once set by a great President, Abraham Lincoln, who told us: 'Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and…
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