If we wish to inspire the peoples of the world whose freedom is in jeopardy, if we wish to restore hope to those who have already lost their civil liberties, if we wish to fulfill the promise that is ours, we must correct the remaining…

The protection of civil rights begins with the mutual respect for the rights of others which all of us should practice in our daily lives.

It is a principle of our democracy, written into our Constitution, that every person accused of an offense against the law shall have a fair, orderly trial in an impartial court.

This will take the strong efforts of each of us individually, and all of us acting together through voluntary organizations and our governments.

The protection of civil rights is the duty of every government which derives its powers from the consent of the people.

We shall not, however, finally achieve the ideals for which this Nation was founded so long as any American suffers discrimination as a result of his race, or religion, or color, or the land of origin of his forefathers.

We believe that all men are created equal and that they have the right to equal justice under law.

Federal protection of the right to vote is essential to ensuring the full enjoyment of civil rights for all.

The channels of interstate commerce should be open to all Americans on a basis of complete equality.

We know the way. We need only the will.

We believe that all men should have a voice in their government and that government should protect, not usurp, the rights of the people.

We must protect our civil rights so that by providing all our people with the maximum enjoyment of personal freedom and personal opportunity we shall be a stronger nation--stronger in our leadership, stronger in our moral position…

The Federal Government has a clear duty to see that Constitutional guarantees of individual liberties and of equal protection under the laws are not denied or abridged anywhere in our Union.

We believe that all men are entitled to equal opportunities for jobs, for homes, for good health and for education.

We believe that all men have the right to freedom of thought and of expression and the right to worship as they please.

I have instructed the Secretary of Defense to take steps to have the remaining instances of discrimination in the armed services eliminated as rapidly as possible.

This ruthless enemy, infantile paralysis, endangers a vital treasure--the health of our children.

I am convinced that we have scarcely scratched the surface and that, as a Nation, we can make rapid progress in the immediate future.