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.
We shall fight for freedom in Vietnam--knowing that as we do, we fight not just for freedom and liberty in Vietnam, but we fight for freedom and liberty in Australia, in New Zealand, in Hawaii, in the United States of America, and freedom…
They have made their feelings known with equal vigor in my country, and certainly in yours.
I do not know how many Australian faces I have looked into or how many Australian hands I have shaken during the last 3 1/2 days.
If Ambassador Clark ever resigns as our Ambassador to Australia--and he is so happy here I don't think he ever will--I believe now that the first applicant for the job is going to be Lyndon Baines Johnson!
We have so much to offer to those who need the skills and the technology that we already possess in abundance.
Tonight we come to you near the close of the most wonderful visit that I have ever made to any land.
The war on poverty in America has more ultimate meaning, I think, throughout the world than a thousand supermarkets.
We could never have come so far, so fast, in this great adventure without the dedication and competence of Australian scientists and Australian technicians.
We long and look for the day when all men on this earth will enjoy prosperity--and war will be no more.
I am told that it was something like a million Americans who passed through Brisbane during World War II.
The struggle for minority civil rights in America has more ultimate meaning throughout the world than a hundred superhighways.
On behalf of Mrs. Johnson and myself, and my fellow countrymen, we thank you for your graciousness and for your generous attitude that brought you here to make us feel at home this morning.
Free men just must learn to find comradeship in peace as well as find it in war.
The protection of freedom where freedom is threatened has more ultimate meaning throughout the world than all the products or technology that we may ever export.
These stations are very vital to the success of our lunar program--and vital to all that we are seeking to understand about the universe around us.
We cannot--we must not--hold on selfishly to these skills and these technologies.
If we are to ever be worthy of the trust and of the confidence of other peoples, we shall have to face up to our own lives and our own problems.
I am a free man first, an American second, a public servant third, and a Democrat fourth, in that order.
We will have to leave tomorrow, but our hearts will remain here--here with the people of Australia.
Politicians like Lyndon Johnson
