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.
Dec 17, 1966
Always, the objective is to come home again. Home with the battle won.
Dec 17, 1966
History has cast our country as the leader of the free world and you, by your valor and vigilance and courage, are proving America worthy to lead.
Dec 17, 1966
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.
Dec 14, 1966
And tonight, even as we speak, American men are fighting in a strange land, a half a world away.
Dec 14, 1966
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.
Dec 14, 1966
And, if the goal of true equality is still far down the road, the barriers before that goal are falling every day.
Dec 14, 1966
But let us here tonight dedicate this Christmas tree with hope and great confidence.
Dec 14, 1966
Few documents in all the history of freedom have ever so illuminated the paths of men.
Dec 14, 1966
They will require great sacrifice, patience, understanding, and tolerance from each of us.
Dec 14, 1966
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.
Dec 14, 1966
Abroad, half of the world's people struggle daily against hunger, disease, and poverty.
Dec 14, 1966
Each of you has exercised the highest form of citizenship that any citizen can perform.
Dec 14, 1966
In the United States, we have made more progress in human rights in the past 6 years than we have made in all of the previous 100 years.
Dec 14, 1966
As your President, I struggle with these problems every waking moment of every day.
Dec 14, 1966
But we can say that aggression has been blunted, and that peace, with honor, will surely follow.
Dec 14, 1966
We are in a time of testing for our Nation, a time of uncertainty for our country.
Dec 14, 1966
Exactly 175 years ago today America sent another light out into the world.
Politicians like Lyndon Johnson
