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.
So be assured that you are in America's heart, for it is you that are fighting her battle--and a grateful Nation thanks, appreciates, remembers, and prays for all of you.
And, if the goal of true equality is still far down the road, the barriers before that goal are falling every day.
As your President, I struggle with these problems every waking moment of every day.
Throughout the world old quarrels are being forgotten, and nation is joining nation in a common effort to try to improve the lot of man.
And tonight, even as we speak, American men are fighting in a strange land, a half a world away.
Tonight, with prayerful hope for the future, we have come here to light the Nation's Christmas tree.
In a short time I am going across the street a few hundred yards to light the Nation's Christmas tree.
But we can say that aggression has been blunted, and that peace, with honor, will surely follow.
We are in a time of testing for our Nation, a time of uncertainty for our country.
Few documents in all the history of freedom have ever so illuminated the paths of men.
Exactly 175 years ago today America sent another light out into the world.
Here at home, in our own land, more than 20 million Negroes still yearn for the rights and the dignity that the rest of us take for granted.
Each of you has exercised the highest form of citizenship that any citizen can perform.
They will require great sacrifice, patience, understanding, and tolerance from each of us.
I wish I could tell you that what you have fought for, peace in the world, is just around the corner, but there will be some long and difficult days ahead.





