Walter P. Reuther Digital Archive · President Lyndon B. Johnson, correspondence

Title

President Lyndon B. Johnson, correspondence

Description

box: 368
folder: 12

Date

1963 to 1965

extracted text

THE

WHITE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

January 8,

Dear

1965

Walter:

,
Many thanks for the warm expressions in your
thoughtful telegram following the State of the Union
Your words of confidence and your willMessage.
ingness to have an active part in the building of the
Great Society mean a great deal to me.

I am

so pleased to know of your

satisfactory con-

valescence and send you my sincere good wishes for

the best that the New

Year

can bring.

Sincerely,

Mr. Walter
| President

P. Reuther:

Industrial Union Department
AFL-CIO
815 Sixteenth Street, NW.
Washington, D.C.

January 5, 1965

STRAIGHT WIRE
President Lyndon B.
The White House
Washington, D. C.

Johnson

Congratulations on your inspiring State of the Union message.
Your deep commitment to intensify the search for a just peace so that
the heavy burden of armaments may be lifted from the backs of
mankind will strengthen the hopes of people everywhere.

concern for people and your warm,
way as America rallies behind

Your deep
light

human compassion will i@o the

your leadership in the task of building

the Great Society.

We can achieve the objectives of the Great Society and bring
to practical fulfillment America's noble promises
our people and provide education for our youth,

for our older citizens,

in the lives of all of

security and dignity

equal opportunity for all without discrimination,

and a rewarding and socially useful job for every citizen able and
willing to work.

Under your leadership I am confident that America can

transform the vision of the Great Society into practical human terms
that will enable us to harness the rising star of science and technology

to man's peaceful purposes and enable us to improve the quality of our
society and the quality of American life economically,

culturally and

spiritually so that every citizen may have the expanding opportunities
of maximum

self-fulfillment.

Straight Wire to President Lyndon B.

January 5,
Page

2

1965

Johnson

I am proud to enlist under your leadership in this
challenging and rewarding task of building the Great Society.
I wish to report that my period of convalescence following
lung surgery is progressing satisfactorily and I look forward to the
resumption of active duty under your leadership.

My warmest best wishes for the new year.
Walter

WPR:ob
oeiu 42

P.

Reuther

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losophy of educational opportunity is such that we are given the courage to
n
tio
ica
ded
the
ing
dur
r
ake
spe
pal
nci
pri
the
be
to
you
to
n
tio
ita
inv
an
extend

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,

We have tentatively set
of our new multimillion-dollar campus this fall.
Hee
«the ceremony for American Education Week, November 7-13, but if you

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ee could free yourself at another time we would arrange our program accordingly.

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UN

alae:

Peapod

College,

officially organized in

i
ti tn

eRe

County Community

tana

_
ly
ar
ne
by
to
d
ere
adh
s
ive
ect
obj
and
ls
goa
: August 1962, is dedicated to the

Cae pas 4:

ag val

ue ifs pneet

from

We currently have some 5, 300 students enrolled in classes which

4to1l

p.m.

in local high schools.

We

anticipate

of
term
fall
the
by
000
12,
least
at
reach
will
_ enrollment

la

that our total

aur

ih: itt caitlin at
nei tg

a

ese

all progressive community colleges: vocational-technical education; |
on;
uti
tit
ins
ior
sen
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to
er
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tra
for
e
leg
col
of
rs
yea
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ns
ize
cit
for
ne
ese
con
and
ce
dan
gui
al
ion
cat
edu
community service; and
ie ‘he county and students of the College.

oe

i

atae

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4

i

is

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care

Cat

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ig

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.

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i - Completion of our first campus complex,

fe

:

:

aT

six units,

will occur

oir
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s.
ng
di
il
bu
of
x
le
mp
co
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t
of
en
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eee
Peo.

Be

on
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sit
us
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a
for
s
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ac
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180
se
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rc
have also pu
the first group of Pulldings achedures

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Chances

om
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s
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000
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er
ov
e
iv
ce
re
l
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t
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od
go
ly
ave relative
|
We
.
63
19
of
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Ac
es
ti
li
ci
n
Fa
io
at
uc
Ed
er
gh
Hi
the
h
ug
ro
ed
th
at
ri
op
funds appr

|.

Pak

for completion in the summer of 1967.

ieg Ui Sng
ee
agit
vs
é
ape

of thes Comuaunite

is the fastest growing county in Michigan and one of the

eircumstances should develop,
_
a 4) te come,

ea

the political boundary

most rapidly developing suburban areas in the nation.

|

aie
f

College District,

County itself,

Unless unforeseen —

this trend will be significant for some yeare

See

Jy

ae OS

pean

as

Ch Lr

Macomb

|

g

arn

evoea etre

an
is
nty
Cou
.
omb
Mac
ch
whi
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a,
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Met
ls
isc
‘De
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“Th
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POR
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o
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How
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al) across
9

inspire local planning and development.

eS

ns =

.

gan, and must,

It is an institution

which has emerged in direct response to social and political pressure for the

on

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itie
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voca
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labi
avai

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ee

Stan, of our country.

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pe
:
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of post-secondary education in promoting

-

ia

overall progress

con
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sin
r
you
u
esa
a
this
e
giv
you
that
is
t
aen
ven
Our
be
ee
ae ‘alderation.
Our hope is that you will find it feasible to be our guest during
_
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leg
Col
ity
mun
Com
nty
Cou
omb
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of
y
tor
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there are still some elements of our society not yet aware of the

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program

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ie
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‘The President iss grateful for this cordial and appealing
A invitation but does not feel he can be very encouraging about an

a

| acceptance,

nearer

September

"Macomb
the time

He will be glad to give consideration to the matter

- in this

pr. Robert E, ‘Turner
:
President —

22240 Federal Avenue
Warren, Michigan !

County
and I suggest

Community
you contact us later

ere

tr
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“Thank you er your lettes of the Ist to the President
inviting him to participate in the dedication of the new campus
of the Macomb County Community College tentatively set for

November

w Sea

NNER

cin

Aas i
nn eS
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Seatrees

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American Education Week,

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<itee

i) Dear Dr. Turner: —
WHITE
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a

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Dear Con
Pam sorry that you were not able to attend our legislative luncheon

eine
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1409 House Office Building

ae

January 19, 1965

tia:
So

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=
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Co

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SB

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COMMITTEE:

me

ciel

ae

ae

a

1109 House Orrice BuILoInG
- Wasninoton, D.C.

-

A

20515

“4

Congress of the United States

weet tnomecmes

Washington, B.C.

pe

>

Se EES

ene

January

yectcts

en

:

es

a

es

|

22,

oe

el

1965

2

madre

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METS
Seas
i
SA
eS
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=

me

eee

st

». Robert
~° Macomb

ped

Warren,

ty

&. Turner, President
_—s_—.
County Community. College= tes

Federal

on

Avenue

2

urner:
. Tr
DeMra

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has
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an

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EP

Ageee
aie
i

Thank you for. the letter of January 19 asking my opinion as
ee
ore eo whether it might be possible to have President Johnson participate
on the dedication. Of the new campus of Macomb County Community College,

er

ea

aN
SM
ekeneee haeceasethad bom cousinssateStas phiggy
GreER Gann
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atts

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CS
ee ee aire

JAMES G.O'HARA
en
mass.) 02 08th)
of Cona
Lye. Mamm

:
erec ty Reis
git e
Aven
a ink ttae oe
joni

Spt ss peg

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Fo
CERPet TOE

:

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nm

pongres3 .
As

you

ae

pointed

“have tremendous

demands

oe

out in your

on

his

time.

letter,
In

President

a case

such

that we were not
for the opening

Johnson

as

this,

does

however,

1 think | would follow the rule of "nothing ventured, nothing gained. I
“{t's.just possible that he might be. able to accept such an invitation,
although i ena there would be only an outside. possibility.

ie

ae

RSE SR
Soe Ee EEE
eea Fun
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OTN Ge a ethe Spates
hee Geen

.

cons

ie

the

President,

eS a re
Des

a
Be

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Da re

!

_ JAMES G, O'HARA
_ Member

of Congress

or arate et rrr

oe

RTS

1

25ST

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as eR Se aiaae etenet
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s:;

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cme
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be

nat

Very
'

|

REE REISE

writing.

the

|

*

you again for

me

tee nesenete pe yeens ors

“SReETEN gers SPS
O
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R
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re

“Thank

:

;
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net
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ee

Se
eae
cy des anid g

keep

shall be more than happy to write urging that he accept
and anything
else which might be of assistance.
©

fi oosted: |
invitation

Ls

please

Sete

invite

gee erent

to

Ae

decide

TNC

you. hould

EE

‘

tf

28

|

Mppeitye weer

.

aS

pi

=

She

Nee

“tate

asic
SR

A appreciated hearing from you and am sorry
able” to get together before |. returned to Washington

of

res

:

eye

wane

se

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<
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e tae
Stig
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dep

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—<

atag

at

Seal ue

RESS
NGR
E
BCO
MEMOF
.
COMMITTEE:

=

ee

%

o

JAMES G. O'HARA

eae

t+

~

|

vis

'

OFFICES:

:

1109 House Orrice Buit.vine
Wasuineton, D.C. 20515

ner Chicane, Micment #048

s
e
t
a
t
S
d
e
t
i
n
U
e
h
‘ Congress of t

13} NortH Gratiot AVENUE

House of Representatives
Washington, DB. C.

ae

saan PMd tone

Te lt
Sine dna ete a5 Pee

Se seycteitee

mets siamo Tei cay oa hee So Sena
Sc Seah Shea
nlfeew cas > iwc
teSale
ommpecinpib

piston
ate

Mest by
2
at

1965

See piece

dae me

ISS arn

Ie ENE

s
tee tei
Sine

I

ar eas

corny

ON OS EC

RO

DEE EE

CATE

Mi

Macomb County
22240 Federal

Warren,

Dear

College

Community
Avenue

:

Michigan

Mr. Turner:

e

;

ae

es

a

|

,

:

|

~
es
Pr
ng
ti
vi
in
er
tt
le
ur
yo
of
py
co
a
me
g
in
nd
se
r
fo
u
yo
k
an
Th
7
on
ti
ca
di
de
e
th
ng
ri
du
r
ke
ea
sp
t
es
ident Johnson to participate as gu
e.
eg
ll
Co
y
it
un
mm
Co
ty
un
Co
mb
co
this fall of the new campus of Ma
President
meet with

written the
our efforts

Very ‘truly

|

aa

:

4

yours,

he

accept

:

your

|

A

JAMES G, O'HARA
Member of Congress

RE

J} too have
| hope
invitation.

to urge that
success.

SLANE perme Efe

j

—

Robert E. Turner, President

t
b

F
is

CIA
ei RS
Tc i
AE AE Bn
pea

Dageeie wea
maprrciess
pee

=a

Te Re aes

aS

a ees

De eae

February 4,

’

ee

¥

NAR TIE A

CM

RINT

BPR

INNS EO

PS AP

ER

l

=

\S

|

“3

THE HON. LYNDON B. JOHNSON
| THE WHITE HOUSE

_ | WASHINGTON, D.C.

‘ ~

7

AY

.
S

| peace,

~

| 3

iy

7

and

a half

and human

and Women

of UAW,

men

you will

be

equal

On behalf

brotherhood.
may

you

I assure

your

deep

of

our

of the million
fullest

cooperation

|

days ahead.

Knowing

:

/

justice

freedom,

in the challenging

\

‘

a)

in

|

x V
a) 9

congratulations on your masterful
commitment to the cause of
-

PLease accept my sincerest
:

commitment

m to history's

and

confident

I know

greatness.

to

challenge

I am

compassion,

you

will

e
is
om
pr
ht
ig
br
e
th
ue
rs
pu
dp
an
ss
ne
rm
fi
d
an
face the future with faith
of tomorrow with

vigor and vision.

In this

effort,

I pledge

you my hand

ee

Walter

and my heart.

P.Reuther,

International

(Wanda:

President

Union,

UAW

end of wire)

then to pr mewsickxre newswire and the following

and quote

each

paragraph

with an end quote.)

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY--WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1965

UAW

The following telegram was
President Welter P. Reuther today:

"Please

accept....cccsecves

sent

to ) Pwesisant

Johnson

by

WHITE

THE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

1965

January 28,

Dear

Walter:
>

ur
Yo
e.
ag
ss
me
ul
tf
gh
ou
th
ur
yo
r
fo
Thank you
m
r
a
w
ur
yo
d
an
ng
yi
if
at
gr
ry
ve
e
ar
kind remarks
am
[|
d.
te
ia
ec
pr
ap
ly
ep
de
ts
en
im
nt
se
personal
e
ev
hi
ac
ll
wi
we
er
th
ge
to
g
in
confident that work
n.
io
Un
t
ec
rf
pe
re
mo
a
of
al
go
our
With

kind

yh

s

regards,

Sincerely,

ah Walter Pr; Reuther
resident
n
o
i
n
U
l
a
n
o
i
t
a
n
r
Inte

United Auto

Workers

441 West Milwaukee
Detroit,

Michigan

©

|
cD
7

.

7

|

;

-

a He

aE

So
,

THE

WHITE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

February 23, 1965

Dear

Walter:

I understand you have been invited to serve asa
member of the National Citizens Commission to

support International Cooperation Year. I just
want you to know that I will be personally grate-

ful to you for lending your influential support.

<nrn cil saps

.

iis ibaa

cesarean

vain

et

Sincerely,

Mr.

Walter

P,

Reuther

Solidarity House

8000 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit 14, Michigan

ae,

March

President Lyndon B.
The White House
Washington, D.C.

in Selma,

of all religious faiths,

section of our Nation are deeply

Alabama,

A: ee ee ne

ae

Se mR

eT ee

a

ee

Te PSE OS oe ene CT

1965

Johnson

Americans
from every

93,

Ae

of all political persuasions,

and

shocked and outraged at the tragic events

and they look to the Federal government as the only possible

source to protect and guarantee the exercise of constitutional rights which is being
denied and destroyed by the Dallas County law enforcement agents and the Alabama
State troops under the direction of Governor

Under these circumstances,

take immediate
troops,

assembly

and appropriate

if necessary,

steps,

Sunday's

Wallace.

Mr.

President,

of constitutional rights,

spectacle of tear gas,

night sticks,

including free

whips and electric

demonstrating to secure their

constitutional right to register and vote as American citizens,
This

and

may be fully protected.

cattle prodders used against defenseless citizens,

all decency.

I join in urging you to

including the use of Federal marshals

so that the full exercise

and free speech,

George

was an outrage against

shameful brutality by law-enforcing agents makes

a mockery

of

America's concept of justice and provides effective ammunition to communist
propagandists and our enemies
Mr.
is imperative

around the world who would weaken and destroy us.

President,

your prompt and decisive leadership in this crisis

in demonstrating America's

rights of all citizens.

fundamental allegiance to the constitutional

Prompt and decisive action on your part will,

moreover,

See

President

Lyndon B.

weSoe

Sa

eee oa

eee

ee EES

TY ee ee
ee or ae
ee See
eel eee

ewe ©

es a,

ee

ee
vl

ae

a meeei. Oe
ee he ee eee ee oe eg= ee ON

ET7 Te
ee ee
ee
i oh

March

a

Johnson

discourage the apostles of hatred,

ne Re

—

9,

eG ee
ES

ee+

ee

ee1 eee

aeae SER.
ee

ee Ste

has a moeal

tas)
eC

NE ee ee a

bigotry and violence who would divide America.

like you and the vast majority of Americans,

in the

believe that every citizen

and constitutional right to register and vote.

I am confident that in this crisis,

with the same conviction,

AF

1965

ans
ric
Ame
y
man
the
to
th
eng
str
ed
add
and
t
men
age
our
enc
t
grea
It will give

South who,

ee

Mr.

President,

you will act

courage and compassion which has characterized your

leadership in other periods of challenge.
Walter P. Reuther, President
INTERNATIONAL UNION, UAW

TE

Eee

SS

Release:
REUTHER

URGES
TO

GUARANTEE

RIGHTS

OF

SELMA

UAW

President

and

NEGROES

following

“Under

these

the

full

Speech,

may

be

to

against

register

shameful

zens.
of

Prompt

hatred,

including

exercise

vote

and

bigotry

by

of

of

President

Mr.

President,

the

use

of

constitutional

as

tear

gas,

citizens,

American

Lyndon

I

B.

Johnson

today

join

in

urging

you

Federal

marshals

rights,

including

free

citizens,

action

violence

night

sticks,

whips

electric

demonstrating

law-enforcing

decisive
and

to

by

and

to

take

troops,

if

assembly

immediate
necessary,

and

free

protected.

defenseless

brutality

sent

Reuther:

spectacle

and

was

circumstances,

fully

"Sunday's

P.

steps,

that

used

telegram

Walter

appropriate

So

MARCH 9, 1965

PRESIDENTIAL

ACTION

The

TUESDAY,

on

who

agents

your
would

was

an

makes

part

to

outrage

a mockery

will,

divide

secure

and

their

against

America.

It

all

(more)

decency.

give

the

right

This.

concept

discourage
will

prodders

constitutional

cf Am crica's

moreover,

cattle

nO

For

IMMEDIATELY,

of

apostles

great encourage-

REUTHER

URGES...2

ment

and

vast

majority

right

to

"I

added

of

am

of

to

the

Americans,

register

conviction,
periods

strength

and

confident

courage

many

believe

Americans

that

the

South,

every

citizen

Mr.

President,

has

who,

like

a moral

and

you

and

the

constitutional

vote.

that

and

in

this

compassion

crisis,

which has.

challenge.”

it # #
oeiuho

in

you

characterized

will

your

act

with

leadership

the

in

same

other

=
=
"
5
6
9
h
1
,
c
9
Mar
ye

The
The

President
White House

Washington,

D.C.

m
a
r
g
e
l
e
t
f
o
c
/
c

n
o
s
n
h
o
J
.
s
e
r
P
to

Walter

P.

sert
by

Reuter

ua
rs
pe
l
ca
ti
li
po
all
of
,
hs
it
fa
Americans of all religious
ly
ep
de
e
ar
on
ti
Na
r
ou
of
n
io
ct
se
y
sions, and from ever
,
a.
Al
a,
lm
Se
in
ts
en
ev
ic
ag
tr
e
th
shocked and outraged at
ly
on
e
th
as
nt
me
rn
ve
Go
l
ra
de
Fe
e
th
to
ok
and they lo
of
se
ci
er
ex
e
th
e
te
an
ar
gu
d
an
t
ec
ot
possible source to pr
d
ye
ro
st
de
d
an
ed
ni
de
g
in
be
is
h
constitutional rights, whic
e
th
d
an
ts
en
ag
t
en
em
rc
fo
en
w
la
by the Dallas County
or
rn
ve
Go
of
n
io
ct
re
di
e
th
r
de
un
ps
Alabama State troo
George Wallace.
Under

these

circumstances,

Mr.

President,

I join

in

in
s
ep
st
e
at
ri
op
pr
ap
d
an
e
at
urging you to take immedi
if
ps
oo
tr
d
an
ls
ha
rs
ma
cluding the use of Federal
al
on
ti
tu
ti
ns
co
of
se
ci
er
ex
necessary, so that the full
be
y
ma
ch
ee
sp
ee
fr
d
an
ly
mb
se
as
ee
rights including fr
fully protected.
s,
ip
wh
,
ks
ic
st
t
gh
ni
d
an
s
ga
ar
te
of
Sunday’s spectacle

(\.*
=...

-

ns
ze
ti
ci
s
es
el
ns
fe
de
t
ns
ai
ag
ed
us
and electric cattle prods
to
t
gh
ri
al
on
ti
tu
ti
ns
co
r
ei
demonstrating to secure th

e
ag
tr
ou
an
s
wa
ns
ze
ti
ci
n
a
c
i
r
register and vote as Ame
en
wla
by
y
it
al
ut
br
ul
ef
am
sh
against all decency. This
ts
ep
nc
co
s’
an
ic
er
Am
of
y
r
e
k
c
o
m
a
s
forcing agents make
u
m
m
o
C
to
n
o
i
t
i
n
u
m
m
a
e
iv
ct
fe
of justice and provides ef
o
wh
d
rl
wo
e
th
nd
ou
ar
s
ie
em
nist propaganda and our en
would weaken and destroy us.

te

tit

in
ip
sh
er
ad
le
ve
si
ci
de
d
an
pt
om
Mr. President, your pr
s’
an
ic
er
Am
g
in
at
tr
ns
mo
de
in
ve
this crisis is imperati
l
al
of
ts
gh
ri
al
on
ti
tu
ti
ns
co
e
th
to
fundamental allegiance
ll
wi
rt
pa
ur
yo
on
on
ti
ac
ve
citizens. Prompt and decisi
t
ea
gr
ve
gi
ll
wi
It
a.
ic
er
Am
de
vi
di
d
ul
violence, who wo
er
Am
ny
ma
e
th
to
th
ng
re
st
d
de
encouragement and ad
ty
ri
jo
ma
st
va
e
th
d
an
u
yo
ke
li
o,
icans in the South wh
d
an
l
ra
mo
a
s
ha
n
ze
ti
ci
y
er
ev
at
th
e
ev
of Americans, beli

.
te
vo
d
an
er
st
gi
re
to
t
gh
ri
al
on
ti
tu
consti

u
yo
t,
en
id
es
Pr
.
Mr
,
is
is
cr
is
th
in
I am confident that
as
mp
co
d
an
e,
ag
ur
co
,
on
ti
ic
nv
co
me
sa
will act with the

r
he
ot
d
an
ip
sh
er
ad
le
ur
yo
d
ze
ri
te
ac
ar
ch
s
sion which ha
periods of challenge.

:

_

}

=

:

|

|

:

.
d
n
a
y,
tr
go
bi
,
ed
tr
ha
of
es
tl
os
ap
moreover discourage the

.

tid

:

}

cee

ao

c

|

(>

ie

From

Frank

Wallick

- March

President Lyndon
The White House
Washington, D.C.

B.

pap

gave

spectacle

ammunition

iahaenac

rights
race

their

hate

ginning

gas,

leadership

rights

and have

to speak

shown by Alabama

to Communist

of all citizens.

DRAFT

of smynagéiifiitie. citizens,

of tear

Your

exercising

1965

Johnson

television by millions

Sunday's

9,

night

sticks,

propagandists

in moving

will demonstrate
It will also

so long

out clearly

and

clubs

around

America's

the

Troopers,

is an outrage

now before

discourage

intimidated

State

those

Southern

o@eu-eeckzen

against

horrified

all decency.

Americans

and

the world.

any

further

fundamental
lawless

injury

allegiance

elements

moderates

to citizens

who

who

are

and courageously.
Walter P. Reuther,
President
United Auto Workers,
AFL-CIO

to the
spread

now be-

OO,

March

Dear

Mr.

12,

1965

President:

In response to your letter of February
23rd, Iam pleased to advise that I shall be most
happy to serve as a member of the National Citizens

Commission to support International Cooperation Year.

This is an important undertaking and
I shall do my very best to help in any way possible.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,

WPRi:ob
oeiu 42

President Lyndon B. Johnson
The White House
:
Washington, D. C.

ee eee ee

ST ST YR

ee ees

hee CS

ON

OT aT OES

eS ee

ee ig ee

se

POE

a

eS

ee

ee

ee NE

a

ee

ee

March

ee

ee

16,

ee

eee

ey

Lee ee

a eee

1965

My dear Mr. President:

} an American I feel deeply indebted to you
for the message which you delivered to the joint session of
dealing with the question of the right of every

American to ogee

and vote and enjoy the full blessings of
, doubt one of —*
finest

racy
4
-ertai give panowet ome 6te>the agpuensed
everywhere who yearn to be free,

I heard
your message while on a plane returning
abarn »’ where Mra. Rewther ee.
d that
Selma,
A te bama wa=s bowthorhend « the last battle of
the ‘Was between the States that pitted brother against brother

id

neigl

gai natSe

as our anion

oe

—

the

tion, —
mena auuanabian
abiian ie the
. ide nt, “that you have taken up the task of com: historic work which President Lincoln began. I

etir
have that andes your leadership America will find the a to
make itself whole se that the childrez
ormer 8
take their proud place in our free ooclety ass full eltizens with
all rights and responsibilitie

a ae

ee

"

ee

ee

a

Se

The President

oBe

a

ee ae ee

ee

ae

ee

eee

ss March 16, 1965

The essential rigtoht
equality and
human
¢
:
is as you have often stated, a great moral issue whieh transcends
politics or sectional differences, Your message has contributed
much to raise the level of understanding of the
yee truth that
human freedom is an indivisible value and that no man can have
it unto himself and that these who love freedom can make it se-

cure only as they make it universal so all men may share in its

blessings.

It is reassuring to know, Mr. President, that
tale historic task of bringing
to fu
ment full citizenship for
all
A:
8s is in gooc ane
Each of us as Americans have
wun
standing and
deep compz esten that you se» clearly
ecnnayed ia mee mestens to the Congress.
Under your dedicated and inspired leadership, I arm certain that we shall overcome,
To this end, I pledge my heart and my hand.

Sincerely yours,

Walter P. Reuther
President

International U nion

UAW

HOUSE

WHITE

THE

WASHINGTON

March

Dear

Walter:

Your

encouraging

words

24,

concerning

1965

my

speech

to

the Joint Session of the Congress on March 15
As you know, this
were deeply appreciated.
Administration is committed to the task of making
The right to vote is a fundaour nation whole.
mental tenet of a democracy, and we cannot rest
until this right is ensured for all.
Your support of so many of our programs has been
This nation is indebted to
of great value tome.
you for the leadership you have provided in many
areas which affect your fellow human beings.

With warm

regards.
Sincerely,

Mr.

Walter

P.

Reuther

President

SG

815

N.W.

International Union,
16th Street,

Washington, D.C.

ee

UAW

3

ee

ee ee a

ee ee eee eee ee ee

ke ee wn

ee

ee a ee! ees
sas

7 a ae ee

Oe ee

a

Se.
ae ~ we

> SOSR OS AEa ee
eee

a ee CRLe BeyPT

eTeT ee oO ee

earED TSTe

LY “ee 'y IE
“
SY Sc gee)ee a ars 2gese ee
ETeT

OP

ee EI

Teme.

eRe,re

5
6
9
1
,
0
3
h
c
Mar

e
rg
la
ry
ve
a
ct
pe
ex
we
u,
yo
to
s
ne
oe
ar
I
As
ion from both the Senate and

t him

to aoue 5 by

.
¢
ds
k
te
ny
ma
s
ha
»
to
|
o
ll
he
y
sa
to

ow
ll
fo
to
s
es
gn
in
ll
wi
ur
yo
te
i apprecia

through on this

matter.

Looking forward to the pleasure of seeing you,
lam with all good wishes
Sincerely,

WPR:0b
oeiu 42

Mr.

Jack Valenti

Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C,

bec;

WPR-IUD

me Tee || i Mae me Aaa Ne

Re

as

ee ae

ee ee a

ES ee we

nn

eh

a

ee

rae

ee

ee

March

President Lyndon B.
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear

Mr.

Sa ,
Tee

30,

1965

Johnson

President:

In your State of the Union message you clearly set forth the
ul
cef
pea
se
rea
inc
to
ys
wa
e
lor
exp
to
on
ti
ra
st
ni
mi
Ad
r
you
of
intentions
,
ly
nt
ue
eq
bs
Su
on.
Uni
iet
Sov
the
h
wit
and
ies
ntr
cou
an
pe
ro
Eu
trade with East

hearings were scheduled by Senator William Fulbright,
Senate

UAW

Foreign Relations

submit our views

Committee,

as Chairman of the

and the Senator has

requested that the

this important question to this Committee.

l
ona
ati
ern
Int
the
of
s
er
mb
me
the
h,
26t
ch
Mar
on
g
tin
At a mee

the
to
al
rov
app
e
gav
ion
act
ous
nim
una
by
on
uni
our
of
rd
Boa
ive
cut
Exe
s
ome
bec
ch
whi
de,
Tra
est
t-W
Eas
of
s
Use
ul
cef
Pea
the
on
n
enclosed resolutio
es
com
wel
n
tio
olu
res
s
Thi
.
ion
zat
ani
org
our
of
icy
pol
an official expression of
g
sin
rea
inc
for
als
pos
pro
r
you
ly
ted
ear
leh
who
ts
por
sup
and
e
tiv
tia
ini
your
de
tra
sed
rea
inc
h
suc
t
tha
e
iev
bel
We
.
ies
ntr
cou
se
the
peaceful trade with
ted
Uni
the
n
wee
bet
ns
sio
ten
of
ing
sen
les
a
to
y
ntl
ica
nif
sig
e
but
will contri
s
cie
den
ten
the
age
our
enc
and
ate
mul
sti
o
als
l
wil
and
States and the Soviet Union
already evident in the East European countries to become less dependent upon
e
tiv
tia
ini
h
suc
t
tha
o
als
l
dfu
min
are
We
l.
tro
con
cal
iti
pol
and
ic
Soviet econom
k
see
ely
uin
gen
who
all
of
l
goa
g
din
rri
ove
the
to
ly
ant
ort
imp
will contribute
peace.

ed
er
id
ns
co
was
n
er
nc
co
ng
si
es
pr
and
s
iou
ser
of
ue
iss
Another
on
ti
za
ni
ga
or
our
of
ip
sh
er
ad
le
The
rd.
Boa
e
iv
ut
ec
Ex
l
ona
ati
ern
Int
by the UAW
to
and
m
do
ee
fr
to
eat
thr
ve
gra
the
of
s
ou
ci
ns
co
are
s
er
mb
me
our
as well as
mco
and
n
er
nc
co
p
dee
r
you
e
iat
rec
app
we
and
m
na
et
Vi
in
sts
peace which exi
id
avo
and
m
do
ee
fr
end
def
l
wil
t
tha
on
uti
sol
a
d
fin
to
rch
mitment in your sea
of
on
si
us
sc
di
lic
pub
the
of
ch
mu
y
el
at
un
rt
fo
Un
dy.
par
jeo
in
ce
putting the pea

ee ye

President Lyndon B.

March

i

Johnson

30,

1965

the Vietnam crisis has been conducted in an emotionally charged atmosphere,
with the American people in effect being asked to choose between two
unacceptable alternatives: (1) an appeasement of North Vietnam aggression
by a withdrawal of American forces, and (2) an escalation of the war in
search of a purely military solution to the crisis which risks involvement
of U. S. forces in confrontation with the forces of both Red China and the
Soviet Union.
The members

of the International Executive

Board

of the UAW,

after careful consideration, unanimously rejected both of these alternatives.
It ia our belief that there is a rational and reasoned alternative to both
appeasement and catastrophe.
Knowing of your total commitment to peace and your deep
compassion for people, we are confident that you will bend every effort to
securing a settlement of the Vietnam crisis consistent with the values of
Peace and Freedom.
We have set forth in the enclosed resolution on Vietnam the
considered judgment of our leadership and we transmit the text of this to
you in the hope that it will strengthen your hand and your will to find a just
and peaceful solution to the Vietnam crisis.

Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely yours,

WPR:lm
oeiud2
enc.

P.
Walter
International

Reuther,
Union, UAW

President

EE a

March 31,

Dear

cee PN

ee

Ne

eh Mee

1965

Dick:

t
Pa
r
o
t
a
n
e
S
h
t
i
w
h
g
u
o
r
I am following th

in
be
ll
wi
I
d
n
n
a
o
i
t
a
s
r
e
v
n
o
c
r
u
McNamara as per o
|
touch with you directly.

of
py
co
a
g
in
os
cl
en
am
I
d,
As I indicate
e
th
t
ge
to
le
ab
s
wa
d
an
d
te
af
dr
I
h
the resolution whic
ry
ua
br
Fe
s
it
at
t
op
ad
to
l
ci
un
AFL-CIO Executive Co
,
te
no
ll
wi
u
yo
As
a.
id
or
Fl
h,
ac
meeting in Miami Be
t
n
e
m
e
v
o
m
r
bo
la
an
ic
er
Am
e
th
this resolution commits
of
m
ra
og
pr
d
oa
br
s
t'
en
id
es
Pr
e
to full support of th
beautification, conservation, etc.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincer ely,

WPR:ob
oeiu 42

Mr. Dick Goodwin |
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington,

Ds

Ge

ee

ey

ae

a a
eee

THE

WHITE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

My

dear

}ditumerttier

1965

2,

April

Une

Although schedule conflicts are going
to keep the President from dropping by the
Industrial Union Dinner this year, he is deeply
grateful to you for wanting him included.

come

We hope you'll
again next year.

a chance

give us

to

Sincerely,

Special

Honorable

Walter

President
International
8000

East

Detroit,

P.

Union,

Jefferson

Michigan

Ass

J

Valenti
tant

to

the

Reuther

UAW,
Avenue

AFL-CIO

President

+

THE

WHITE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

April 7, 1965

Dear

Walter:

Thank you for your good letter of March 30, and for
the copies of the United Automobile Workers resolutions
on East-West trade and Viet-Nam.

Concerning peaceful trade with Eastern Europe and the
Soviet Union, I have, as you know, appointed a special
committee to explore what steps we might usefully take.
to
n
tio
olu
res
the
and
er
lett
your
of
copy
a
n
give
have
I
Mr.

Irwin

the

Miller,

chairman

of the

committee,

and

|

have asked Mr. Miller and the committee to give the
views of the UAW their most careful attention.

\

I have also carefully read the resolution on Viet-Nam.
my
in
m
le
ob
pr
ve
gra
s
thi
on
ws
vie
own
I will explain my
speech this evening at Johns Hopkins.

Lye

| Sincerely,

Mr. Walter P, Reuther
President, International

Union,
8000 East Jefferson Avenue

oar pAan

ES

NE

.

"

a enemas

ary

ee teeter

Ce

“ho

,

48214

Michigan

Detroit,

UAW

-

_

a

a

pmemewens

vn

ee

eer tna

aan neeee

—_—

ae remem — se

be

gee

Straight Wire

April 9, 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson
The White House
Washington, D. C,

My warmest congratulations and sincere appreciation for
your constructive and forthright statement of American purpose and
policy in Vietnam.

Your

of freedom -- your deep

determination to resist aggr@ssion in defense

commitment to join in any effort to achieve a

just and honorable peace and your imaginative and generous proposal
to commit increased American

economic

resources and food surpluses

to fight the only war America wants to fight -- the war against poverty,

|

ignorance,

|

hao

disease and injustice -~ I am confident as-the map

support

of the overwhelming majority of Americans.
Your offer to help the people of South Asia to help
themselves develop their resources

and to achieve an increased measure

ef economic and social justice and enlarge opportunities for human
fulfillment is in keeping with America's highest hu

Wire to President Johnson

and is consistent with your deep personal concern for people.
women

hope

of good will all around

in the

Tie

Men and

the world will take new heart and new

wledge that your firm but friendly hand is guét guiding our

ship~-of-state in this hour of crisis and conflict in South Asia and that

American power is fully committed to principles and purposes that seek
no advantage but the advantage that all mankind may share in the building
of a rational and responsible community of nations in which peace,

freedom and justice can be the universal blessings of all mankind.
My deepest appreciation and

warmest best wishes.

Re spectfully,

Walter

WPR:ob

oeiu 42

P.

Reuther

THE

WHITE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

April

Dear

14,

1965

Walter:

Iwas very much moved by your wire approving
May we both see the
my proposals for Vietnam.
day when the peoples of this earth realize that
the humanity they share is the great common

bond,

and that to work and build together can

be the finest manifestation

Thank you for thinking

of the human

of me.
Sincerely,

Mr. Walter P. Reuther
8000 East Jefferson Avenue

Detroit,

Michigan

spirit.

|

a ea

REN

tir Th

h
t
i
W
a
t
b
10 Wi
LP

FOR RELEASE

AT

ee

9P.M,

Office

EST,

APRIL

of the White House

WHITE

THE

APRIL

7

Press

7,1/196

Secretary

HOUSE

TEXT OF
THE REMARKS BY THE
PRESIDENT AT SHRIVER HALL
AUDITORIUM, JOHNS HOPKINS
UNIVERSITY, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

My Fellow Americans:

Last week seventeen nations sent their views to some dozen countries having
We are joining these seventeen countries in
interest in Southeast Asia.
stating our American policy which we believe will contribute toward peace
in this area.

Tonight I want to ewview once again with my

own people the views

of your

government,

Tonight Americans and Asians
choose its own path to change.

are dying for a world where

each people may

lnsy
Pen
of
eys
vall
the
in
ht
foug
ors
est
anc
our
ch
whi
for
ple
nci
pri
the
This is
m.
tna
Vie
of
les
jung
the
in
t
figh
sons
our
ch
whi
for
ple
nci
pri
the
is
It
vania.

do
nor
re,
the
ory
rit
ter
no
e
hav
We
.
us
mp
ca
et
qui
s
thi
om
Vietnam is far fr
400
me
so
And
.
ult
fic
dif
and
tal
bru
and
ty
dir
is
war
The
.
any
we seek
-e
is
om
pr
and
ty
uni
ort
opp
h
wit
ng
sti
bur
a
ic
er
Am
an
o
int
n
young men -- bor
have ended their lives on Vietnam's steaming soil.
Why must we take this painful

road?

Why must this nation hazard its ease,
sake of a people so far away?

its interest,

and its power for the

y
er
ev
e
er
wh
d
rl
wo
a
in
e
liv
to
are
we
if
ht
fig
st
mu
We fight because we
n
ow
our
l
wil
d
rl
wo
a
ch
su
in
y
onl
d
An
y.
in
st
country can shape its own de
freedom be finally secure.
rm
fi
in
the
t
Ye
s.
let
bul
d
an
s
mb
bo
by
lt
bui
be
This kind of a world will never
e
st
wa
the
d
an
-on
as
re
e
ed
ec
pr
en
oft
st
mu
e
rc
fo
ities of man are such that
of war, the works of peace,
We wish this were not so.
ever to be as we wish.

But we

THE

deal with the world

must

NATURE

OF

The world as itis in Asia is not a serene

THE

as itis,

if itis

CONFLICT

or peaceful

place.

of
on
ti
na
t
en
nd
pe
de
in
the
ed
ck
ta
at
s
ha
m
The first reality is that North Vietna
.
st
ue
nq
co
al
tot
is
ct
je
ob
Its
m.
na
et
Vi
h
ut
So
Of caurse,

some

of the people

on their own government.

flow

in a constant

stream

of South

Vietnam

But trained men

from

North

participating

and supplies,

to South.

MORE

are

orders

in attack

and arms,

oZ@

This

support is the heartbeat of the war.

Simple farmers are the targets
And it is a war of unparalleled brutality.
Women and children are strangled in
of assassination and kidnapping.
Small and helpless
the night because their men are loyal to the government.
Large scale raids are conducted on
villages are ravaged by sneak attacks.

towns,

and terror

strikes

in the heart

of cities.

The confused nature of this conflict cannot mask the fact that it is the new
And
It is an attack by one country upon another,
face of an old enemy.
the object of that attack is a friend to which we are pledged.

Over this war -- and all Asia -- is another reality: the deepening shadow of
This is a
The rulers in Hanoi are urged on by Peking.
Communist China.
regime which has destroyed freedom in Tibet, attacked India, and been
It is a nation
condemned by the United Nations for aggression in Korea.
The
which is helping the forces of violence in almost every continent.
contest in Vietnam is part of a wider pattern of aggressive purpose.

WHY
Why are these

realities

ARE

our concern?

WE

IN VIETNAM

Why are we in South Vietnam?

an
ic
er
Am
ry
eve
4
195
ce
Sin
p.
kee
to
e
is
om
pr
a
e
hav
We are there because we
e
hav
We
m.
na
et
Vi
th
Sou
of
ple
peo
the
to
t
por
sup
d
ere
President has off

we
rs,
yea
ny
ma
r
ove
s,
Thu
,
end
def
to
ped
hel
e
helped to build, and we hav
,
ce
en
nd
pe
de
in
its
end
def
m
na
et
Vi
th
Sou
p
hel
to
dge
ple
al
ion
have made a nat
I intend to keep our promise.

its
to
ion
nat
ve
bra
and
ll
sma
s
thi
n
do
an
ab
to
-dge
ple
t
tha
To dishonor
ble
iva
org
unf
an
be
d
ul
wo
-low
fol
st
mu
t
tha
ror
ter
enemy -- and to the

wrong.

om
fr
-e
ob
gl
the
nd
ou
Ar
r,
de
or
d
rl
wo
en
th
ng
re
We are also there to st
the
on
t,
par
in
ts,
res
ng
ei
-b
ll
we
e
os
wh
le
op
pe
are
Berlin to Thailand -its
to
m
na
et
Vi
e
av
le
To
,
ed
ck
ta
at
are
ey
th
if
us
on
t
un
co
belief they can
an
ic
er
Am
of
e
lu
va
the
in
le
op
pe
e
es
th
all
of
ce
en
id
nf
fate would shake the co
or
y,
it
il
ab
st
in
d
an
st
re
un
d
se
ea
cr
in
be
d
ul
wo
lt
su
re
e
Th
,
commitment
even

wart.

no
Let
e.
nc
la
ba
the
in
es
ak
st
t
ea
gr
are
e
er
We are also there because th
e
Th
ct.
fli
con
to
d
en
an
g
in
br
d
ul
wo
m
na
et
Vi
om
fr
one think that retreat
on
ss
le
l
ra
nt
ce
e
Th
r,
he
ot
an
n
the
d
an
y
tr
battle would be renewed in one coun
aw
dr
th
wi
To
d.
ie
sf
ti
sa
r
ve
ne
is
on
si
es
gr
ag
of
of our time is that the appetite
:
in
say
st
mu
We
t.
nex
the
for
e
ar
from one battlefield, means only to prep
to
er
th
Hi
''
le:
Bib
the
of
s
rd
wo
the
in
-Southeast Asia -- as we did in Europe
shalt thou come,

but no further. "'

s
a'
in
Ch
t
tha
-ile
fut
be
l
wil
e
er
th
ort
eff
There are those who say that all our
no
is
e
er
th
But
.
ia
As
t
as
he
ut
So
all
te
na
mi
power is such it is bound to do
up.
d
we
lo
al
sw
are
ia
As
of
s
on
ti
na
the
all
il
unt
nt
me
gu
ar
t
end to tha
it
ve
ha
We
e,
er
th
ty
li
bi
si
on
sp
re
a
ve
ha
There are those who wonder why we
in
m
do
ee
fr
of
e
ns
fe
de
the
r
fo
ty
li
bi
si
on
for the same reason we have a resp
it
en
wh
d
an
,
ia
As
d
an
pe
ro
Eu
th
bo
World War II was fought in
Europe.
of
e
ns
fe
de
the
for
ty
li
bi
si
on
sp
re
d
ue
in
nt
ended we found ourselves with co
freedom.

MORE

OUR

OMJECTIVE

IN VIETNAM

om
fr
m
do
ee
fr
its
and
m,
na
et
Vi
h
ut
So
of
Our objective is the independence
h
ut
So
of
le
op
pe
the
t
tha
y
onl
-s
ve
el
rs
ou
We want nothing for
attack.
y.
wa
n
ow
ir
the
in
y
tr
un
co
n
ow
ir
the
e
id
gu
to
d
we
Vietnam be allo
e.
iv
ct
je
ob
t
tha
h
ac
re
to
y
ar
ss
ce
ne
ng
hi
yt
er
We will do ev
what is necessary.
In recent months,

attacks

on South

Vietnam

were

stepped

And we will do only
up.

Thus,

it

is
Th
.
air
by
s
ck
ta
at
ke
ma
d
an
se
on
became necesaary to increase our resp
e
os
rp
pu
at
th
e
ev
li
be
we
at
wh
in
ge
an
ch
a
is
It
e.
is not a change of purpos
requires.
We

do this in order to slow down

aggression.

m
na
et
Vi
h
ut
So
of
le
op
pe
e
av
br
the
of
ce
We do this to increase the confiden
so
th
wi
d
an
s
ar
ye
ny
ma
so
r
fo
le
tt
ba
al
who have bravely borne this brut
many casualties.

m
na
et
Vi
h
rt
No
of
s
er
ad
le
e
th
ce
in
nv
And we do this to co
to share their conquest
We

will

not be

-- of a simple

-- and all who seek

fact:

defeated.

We will not grow ti red.
We will not withdraw,

s
es
gl
in
an
me
a
of
k
oa
cl
e
th
r
de
un
either openly or

agreement.

t
Bu
.
es
os
rp
pu
e
es
th
l
al
h
s
i
l
p
m
o
c
c
a
t
no
ll
wi
e
on
al
s
ck
ta
at
r
ai
We know that
e
th
of
rt
pa
y
r
a
s
s
e
c
e
n
a
e
ar
ey
th
at
th
nt
me
dg
ju
l
fu
er
ay
pr
d
an
it is our best
surest road to peace.

y.
tl
if
sw
me
co
ll
wi
e
ac
pe
at
We hope th

rs
he
ot
of
s
nd
ha
e
th
in
is
at
th
But

,
ct
li
nf
co
d
ue
in
nt
co
ng
lo
a
r
fo
ed
ar
ep
pr
be
st
mu
we
d
An
beside ourselves.
as
ll
we
as
re
du
en
to
ll
wi
e
th
-y
er
av
br
as
ll
we
as
ce
en
ti
pa
e
It will requir
the

will

to

resist.

nd
fi
w
no
we
at
wh
of
s
rd
wo
th
wi
rs
he
ot
ce
in
nv
co
to
le
ib
ss
po
re
we
I wish it
r
ou
-le
ti
fu
is
y
it
il
st
ho
d
me
ar
:
es
an
pl
d
an
ns
gu
th
wi
y
sa
to
y
ar
it necess
a
d
an
es
lu
va
r
fo
t
gh
fi
we
e
us
ca
be
-e
ng
le
al
ch
y
an
to
l
ua
eq
e
ar
resources
n
io
at
in
rm
te
de
d
an
ce
en
ti
pa
r
ou
,
es
ni
lo
co
or
y
or
it
rr
te
an
th
er
principle, rath
are unending.

n
o
s
a
e
r
r
fo
th
pa
ly
on
e
th
at
th
r
ea
cl
be
so
al
ld
ou
sh
it
en
th
Once this is clear,
.
nt
me
le
tt
se
ul
ef
ac
pe
of
th
pa
able men is the

d
an
ed
te
an
ar
gu
ly
re
cu
se
-m
na
et
Vi
h
ut
So
t
en
nd
pe
de
in
an
s
d
Such peace deman
rte
in
e
id
ts
ou
om
fr
ee
fr
-rs
he
ot
l
al
to
s
ip
sh
on
ti
la
re
n
ow
s
it
able to shape
y.
tr
un
co
r
he
ot
no
r
fo
se
ba
ry
ta
li
mi
ference -- tied to no alliance -- a

i
There

may

be many ways

to this kind of peace:

in discussion

or negotiation

with the governments concerned; in large groups or in small ones; in the
reaffirmation of old agreements or their strengthening with new ones.
We have stated this position over and over again fifty times - and more
friend and foe alike.
And we remain ready -- with this purpose -- for
unconditional discussions.

- to

And until that bright and necessary day of peace we will try to keep conflict
We have no desire to see thousands die in battle -- Asians
from spreading.
or Americans.
We have no desire to devastate that which the people of
North Vietnam have built with toil and sacrifice.
We will use our power
with restraint and with all the wisdom we can command,
But we

will

use

it.

For what do the
This war, like most wars, is filled with terrible irony.
They want what their neighbors also desire:
people of North Vietnam want?
food for their hunger -- health for their bodies and a chance to learn -progress for their country, and an end to the bondage of material rnisery.
And they would find all these things far more readily in peaceful association
with others than in the endless course of battle.

These countries of Southeast Asia are homes for millions of impoverished
Each day these people rise at dawn and struggie through weary
people.
They are often wracked by disease,
hours to wrestle existence from the soil.
plagued by hunger, and death comes early, at the age of 40,

Neither independence
Stability and peace do not come easily in sucha land.
It also requires the works of
nor human dignity will be won by arms alone.
peace.
The

American

people have

helped generously in these works,

Now there must be a much more massive
in the conflict-torn corner of the world.
A

COOPERATIVE

EF PORT

effort to improve

POR

the life of man

DEVELOPMENT

The first step is for the countries of Southeast Asia to associate themselves
We would hope
in a greatly expanded cooperative effort for development.
that North Vietnam will take its place in the common effort just as soonas
peaceful cooperation is possible,

The United Nations is already actively engaged in development in this area.
I would hope that the Secretary General of the United Nations could use the
prestige of his great office -- and his deep knowledge of Asia -- to initiate,
as soon as possible, with the countries of the area, a plan for cooperation
in increased development.

For our part I will ask the Congress to join in a billion dollar American
investment in this effort when it is underway.

And I hope all other industrialized countries -- including the Soviet Union -will join in this effort to replace despair with hope, and terror with progress,
The task is nothing less than to enrich the hopes and existence
And there is much to be done,
a hundred million people.

MORE

of more

than

5r
we
po
d
an
r
te
wa
d
an
od
fo
e
id
ov
pr
n
The vast Mekong River ca
dwarf even our own RVA.

on a scale to

e
er
wh
es
ag
ll
vi
h
ug
ro
th
ad
re
sp
be
can

The wonders cf modern medicine
thousands die for lack of care.

the

ge
na
ma
to
ed
ed
ne
ls
il
sk
e
th
in
le
op
pe
n
ai
tr
to
d
he
is
bl
ta
es
be
n
ca
s
ol
Scho
process of development.
And these objectives,
determined effort.

are

and more,

within

the

reach

of a cooperative

and

rm
fa
r
ou
e
bl
la
ai
av
ke
ma
to
m
ra
og
pr
a
up
d
ee
sp
d
an
nd
pa
ex
to
nd
te
I also in
t
no
ld
ou
sh
We
.
ia
As
in
y
ed
ne
e
th
ng
hi
ot
cl
d
an
g
in
ed
fe
in
st
si
surplus to as
ow
fl
er
ov
es
us
ho
re
wa
n
ow
r
ou
e
il
wh
d
ke
na
d
an
ry
ng
hu
go
to
le
op
pe
w
lo
al
an abundance

with

of wheat

and

corn,

and

rice

cotton.

d
he
is
gu
in
st
di
d
an
c
ti
io
tr
pa
of
am
te
l
ia
ec
sp
a
e
m
a
n
y
tl
or
sh
I will very
am
te
is
Th
.
s
m
a
r
g
o
r
p
e
es
th
in
n
io
at
ip
ic
rt
pa
r
ou
te
ra
gu
au
in
to
Americans
of
t
en
id
es
Pr
er
rm
fo
le
ab
ry
ve
e
th
k,
ac
Bl
ne
ge
Eu
.
Mr
by
ed
will be head
the

World

Bank.

ll
wi
e
c
a
e
P
.
sy
ea
be
t
no
development will
e
th
n
gi
be
to
e
ac
pe
r
fo
it
But we cannot wa

,
ct
li
nf
co
by
ed
pp
ri
l
il
st
s
In area
s.
es
cc
su
l
na
fi
r
fo
y
r
a
s
s
e
c
e
n
be
job.
THE

DREAM

OF

WORLD

In
.
me
ti
ng
lo
a
r
fo
et
an
pl
This will be a disorderly
d
n
a
s
y
a
w
d
ol
g
n
i
k
a
h
s
e
ar
d
l
r
o
w
n
r
e
d
o
m
e
th
of
forces
e
l
g
g
u
r
t
s
d
n
a
e
c
n
e
l
u
b
r
u
t
be
There will
civilizations.
y
r
t
n
u
o
c
n
w
o
r
ou
in
e
se
e
w
as
-e
g
n
a
h
c
al
ci
so
Great
without

ORDER

e
th
,
e
r
e
h
w
e
s
l
e
as
,
ia
as
uprooting ancient
and even violence.
e
m
o
c
s
y
a
w
l
a
t
no
s
e
o
d
--

conflict.

It
.
us
h
t
i
w
e
t
u
p
s
i
d
in
be
n
o
i
s
a
c
c
o
on
ll
wi
s
n
o
i
t
a
n
at
We must also expect th
e
d
a
m
e
v
a
h
we
e
s
u
a
c
e
b
or
-l
u
f
r
e
w
o
p
or
,
ch
ri
e
ar
may be because we
no
,
r
e
v
e
w
o
H
.
s
n
o
i
t
n
e
t
n
i
r
ou
ar
fe
y
l
t
s
e
n
o
h
ey
th
e
s
mistakes -- or becau
or
,
ll
wi
r
ou
e
s
o
p
m
i
to
or
,
nd
la
r
ei
th
e
r
i
s
e
d
e
w
at
nation need ever fear th
to dictate

their

institutions.

But we will always
We

oppose

will do this because

r
e
u
q
n
o
c
to
n
o
i
t
a
n
e
n
o
of
the effort

our own

.
at
th
n
a
h
t
it
to
e
r
o
m
But there is

a very old dream,

But we have

security

another.

is at stake.

.
m
a
e
r
d
a
s
a
h
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
For our gen

the power

e
k
a
m
to
y
t
i
n
u
t
r
o
p
p
o
e
and th

It is
it

real.

of
m
a
e
r
d
e
w
t
u
B
.
r
e
h
t
o
h
c
a
e
g
n
o
m
a
d
e
l
g
g
u
r
t
s
e
v
a
h
s
n
o
i
t
a
n
s
e
i
r
u
t
n
e
c
r
o
“
to
y
tr
ll
wi
e
w
d
n
A
.
n
o
s
a
e
r
d
n
a
w
a
l
by
d
e
l
t
t
e
s
e
r
a
s
e
t
u
p
s
i
d
e
r
e
h
w
d
a worl
make

it so.

.
e
l
t
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in
r
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d
e
l
l
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k
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a
d
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a
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v
a
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m
For most of history
.
so
it
e
k
a
m
to
y
tr
ll
wi
e
w
d
n
A
.
r
a
w
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of
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e
we dr

But

.
r
e
g
n
u
h
by
d
e
n
e
t
a
e
r
h
t
,
y
t
r
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o
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.
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e
But we dr
.
so
it
e
k
a
m
to
lp
he
ll
wi

- MORE

-6-

POSSIBILITIES

OF PEACE

The ordinary men and women of North Vietnam and South Vietnam -- of
China and India -- or Russia and America -- are brave people,
They are
filled with the same proportions of hate and fear, of love and hope.
Most
of them want the same things for themselves and their families.
Most of

them

do not want

destroyed,

their

sons

to die in battle,

or

see the homes

of others

This can be their world yet. Man now has the knowledge -- always before
denied -- to make this planet serve the real needs of the people who live
on it.

I know how difficult it is for reason to guides
I know this will not be easy.
The complexities of this world do not
passion, and love to master hate.
bow easily to pure and consistent answers,
But the simple truths are there just the same.
them as best we can.
We

guns

often say how impressive
and bombs,

the

rockets

They are necessary symbols.
witness to human folly.
A dam

built across

poweris.

We must all try to follow

But Ido not find it impressive.

and warships,

are

all symbols

They protect what we

cherish,

of human

The

failure.

But they are

a great river is impressive.

In the countryside where I was born, I have seen the night illuminated, the
kitchens warmed and the homes heated, where once the cheerless night and
And all this happened because electricity
the ceaseless cold held sway.
came to our town along the humming wires of the Rural Electrification
Electrification of the countryside is impressive.
Administration.
A rich harvest in a hungry land is impressive.

The

sight of healthy children in a classroom

is impressive.
which the American

These -- not mighty arms -- are the achievements
nation believes to be impressive,

And -- if we are
also find it so.

steadfast

-- the time may

come

when all other nations will

We may well be living in the time foretold many years ago when it was said:
"'T call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,
that both thou and thy seed may live, ''
This generation of the world
hate or understand.

We

can do all these things

We will choose life.

man,

and

And

over the natural

must

choose:

or build,

destroy

on a scale never dreamed
so doing we will prevail
enemies

of all mankind.

kill or aid,

of before.

over the enemies

within

Following

is text of telegram

Conference

on

Protection

We

urge

the

maximum

constitutional

brutal,

suppression

the State
utilize

rights
of the

use

civil

as will prevent

constitutional

further

rights

of citizens

further

We
which

will guarantee

every

other

exercise

bloodshed

county

of their

urge

where

state

right to register

or by any

other

in a state,

any

by

President,

shall take

means,

We

of American

We

are

are

and the

further

outraged

citizens

violence

by the

in Alabama

by

confident you will
presence

federal

such additional
continued

violation

of the

citizens

to the harrassed

of

and

of Selma

prevented

are

citizens

legislation

Congress

to the

immediately

American

OK OK

10 USC
using

such

domestic

insurrection,

to prevent

from

free

the

and to vote.

is text of Section

The

power

state.

HS OH KO

Following xkx#xx

Leadership

Alabama:

of that area.

you to send
rights

Civil Rights

Alabama.

rights

in Alabama

of that

full voting
and

of federal

to provide

office

of your

from

in Selma,

in Selma,

and by the local governments

the full powers

Johnson

of Demonstrators

and to protect
illegal

to President

the

eK

333 which

cites
the

or

militia

unlawful

violence,

armed

considers

as he

measure

right of President
forces,

or

necessary

to act:
both,

to suppress,

or conspiracy,

combination,

bat
1.

the

United

of a right,
by

law,

and

States

So

within

privilege,
the

hinders

the

the

state,

immunity,

constituted

execution

of the

that any part
or protection

authorities

of that

of that

laws

or class
named

state

of its people

in the

are

state,

and

is deprived

Constitution

unable,

fail,

of

or

and

secured

refuse

to

Section

10

to protect

USC

that

333

or

impedes

In
to have
Aug.

10,

privilege,

right,

2.
States

- tontinued

Opposes
the

Quoty,

immunity,

course

of justice

under

equal
C.

protection

1041,

of the

UPA Stat.

15.

laws

that protection;

or to give

the execution

or obstructs

situation covered by clause

Amy

denied the

or

those

(1),

of the laws

or

of the United

laws.

the State

secured

by the

shall be considered
Constitution.

THE

WHITE

HOUSE

WASHINGTON

May

Dear

We

Mr.

are,

25,

1965

Reuther:

of course,

aware

of the

excellent

work

being done by the Leadership Conference on Civil
Rights in securing support for the voting rights
legislation now pending in the Congress.
Your efforts and those of your organization have added to
the strong prospects for early and favorable action
and we wanted you to know of our appreciation.
It occurred to me that you might wish to have a
printed copy of the President's message on voting
rights delivered to the Joint Session of Congress
on March 15 and I am therefore enclosing one.

Sincerely,

Special

Honorable
President

Walter

P.

°

Counsel

‘Enclosure

to the President

Reuther

Industrial Union Dopesrnacnty
815
16th Street, NW.
Washington, D.C.

ite

AFL/CIO

5
6
9
1
8
2
Y
A
M

~

rT

am pine tio me ee

fh

REMARKS

OF

THE

PRESIDENT

TO

A JOINT

THE

SESSION

OF

AMERICAN

THE

CONGRESS

PROMISE

March 15, 1965

se
er

of the President

Remarks
—

to a Joint

Session

of the Congress
THE

AMERICAN

PROMISE

March 15, 1965
SPEAKER,
Mr.
CONGRESS:

Mr.

PRESIDENT,

MEMBERS

OF

THE

I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of
democracy.
I urge every member of both parties, Americans of all
religions and of all colors, from every section of this country,
to join me in that cause.
At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single
place to shape a turning point in man’s unending search for
freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was
a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in
Selma, Alabama.

There, long-suffering men and women peacefully protested the denial of their rights as Americans. Many
were brutally assaulted. One good man, a man of God,
was killed.

There is no cause for pride in what has happened in
Selma. There is no cause for self-satisfaction in the long
denial of equal rights to millions of Americans. But there
is cause for hope and for faith in our democracy in what is
happening here tonight.

For the cries of pain and the hymns and protests of oppressed people have summoned into convocation all the
majesty of this great government of the greatest nation
on earth.
Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of
this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man.

In our time we have come to live with moments of great
crisis. Our lives have been marked with debate about
great issues; issues of war and peace, of prosperity
and depression. But rarely in any time does an issue lay
bare the secret heart of America itself. Rarely are we met
with a challenge, not to our growth or abundance, our
welfare or our security, but rather to the values and the
purposes and the meaning of our beloved nation.

The issue of equal rights for American Negroes is such
an issue. And should we defeat every enemy, should we
double our wealth and conquer the stars, and still be
unequal to this issue, then we will have failed as a people
and as a nation.

For with a country as with a person, ‘““What is a man

_ profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul?”

This was the first nation in the history of the world to be
founded with a purpose. The great phrases of that purpose
still sound in every American heart, North and South:
‘All men are created equal’’—‘‘government by consent
of the governed’’—‘‘give me liberty or give me death.”
Those are not just clever words. Those are not just empty
theories. In their name Americans have fought and died
for two centuries, and tonight around the world they
stand there as guardians of our liberty, risking their lives.

Those words are a promise to every citizen that he shall
share in the dignity of man. This dignity cannot be found
in a man’s possessions, his power or his position. It rests
on his right to be treated as a man equal in opportunity
to all others. It says that he shall share in freedom, choose
his leaders, educate his children, and provide for his
family according to his ability and his merits as a human
being.
|
To apply any other
because of his color or
his birth—is not only to
and to dishonor the dead

test—to deny a man his hopes
race, his religion or the place of
do injustice, it is to deny America
who gave their lives for American

freedom.

THE

RIGHT

TO

VOTE

Our fathers believed that if this noble view of the rights
of man was to flourish, it must be rooted in democracy.
The most basic right of all was the right to choose your
own leaders. The history of this country, in large measure,
is the history of the expansion of that right to all of our
people.

There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern
problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only
an American problem. And we are met here tonight as
Americans to solve that problem.

Many of the issues of civil rights are very complex and
most difficult. But about this there can and should be no
argument. Every American citizen must have an equal

Ps]

[3]

right to vote. ‘There is no reason which can excuse the
denial of that right. There is no duty which weighs more
heavily on us than the duty we have to ensure that right.

Yet the harsh fact is that in many places in this country
men and women are kept from voting simply because they
are Negroes.
Every device of which human ingenuity is capable has
been used to deny this right. The Negro citizen may go to
register only to be told that the day is wrong, or the hour
is late, or the official in charge is absent. And if he persists, and if he manages to present himself to the registrar,
he may be disqualified because he did not spell out his
middle name or because he abbreviated a word on the
application.
And if he manages to fill out an application he is given a
test. The registrar is the sole judge of whether he passes
this test. He may be asked to recite the entire constitution,
or explain the most complex provisions of state laws. And
even a college degree cannot be used to prove that he can
read and write.
For the fact is that the only way to pass these barriers is
to show a white skin.

GUARANTEEING

RIGHT

THE

TO

VOTE

ed
gn
si
de
law
a
ss
re
ng
Co
to
d
sen
l
wil
I
y
Wednesda
eliminate illegal barriers to the right to vote.

to

of
s
nd
ha
the
in
be
l
wil
l
bil
t
tha
of
e
pl
ci
in
pr
The broad
er
Aft
.
ow
rr
mo
to
s
der
lea
an
ic
bl
pu
Re
d
an
ic
the Democrat
l.
bil
a
as
ly
al
rm
fo
e
her
me
co
l
wil
it
it,
ed
ew
vi
re
ve
they ha
I am grateful for this opportunity to come here tonight at
s,
end
fri
my
h
wit
son
rea
to
p
shi
der
lea
the
of
the invitation
mer
for
my
h
wit
it
vis
to
and
ws,
vie
my
em
to give th
colleagues.
I have had prepared
the legislation which I
which I will submit to
discuss with you now
legislation.

This

a more comprehensive analysis of
intended to transmit tomorrow but
the clerks tonight. But I want to
briefly the main proposals of this

bill will strike down

restrictions to voting in all

ed
us
en
be
ve
ha
h
ic
wh
l—
ca
lo
d
an
te,
Sta
l,
ra
de
elections—Fe

to deny Negroes the right to vote.

h
ic
wh
rd
da
an
st
m
or
if
un
,
le
mp
si
a
h
is
bl
ta
es
l
This bill wil
r
ou
ut
flo
to
,
ort
eff
the
s
ou
ni
ge
in
r
ve
we
ho
cannot be used,
Constitution.

Experience has clearly shown that the existing process
of law cannot overcome systematic and ingenious discrimination. No law that we now have on the books—and I
have helped to put three of them there—can ensure the
right to vote when local officials are determined to deny it.

of
als
ici
off
by
ed
er
st
gi
re
be
to
ns
ze
ti
ci
for
It will provide
se
fu
re
als
ici
off
e
at
St
the
if
nt
me
rn
ve
go
the United States
to register them.

In such a case our duty must be clear to all of us. The
Constitution says that no person shall be kept from voting
because of his race or his color. We have all sworn an
oath before God to support and to defend that Constitution. We must now act in obedience to that oath.

sgi
re
ly
er
op
pr
at
th
re
su
en
l
wil
n
io
at
sl
gi
le
s
Finally, thi
.
ng
ti
vo
om
fr
ed
it
ib
oh
pr
t
no
e
ar
s
al
du
vi
tered indi

[4]

[5]

It will eliminate tedious,
delay the right to vote.

unnecessary

lawsuits

which

of
s
er
mb
me
e
th
of
all
om
fr
s
on
ti
es
gg
su
I will welcome
n
—o
me
so
t
ge
ll
wi
I
at
th
t
ub
do
no
ve
ha
Congress—and I

ways and means to strengthen this law and to make it
effective. But experience has plainly shown that this is
the only path to carry out the command of the Constitution.

To those who seek to avoid action by their national gov-

ernment in their own

communities;

who

seek to maintain

purely local control over elections, the answer is simple:

Open your polling places to all your people.
Allow men and women to register and vote whatever the
color of their skin.

Extend
land.

the rights of citizenship to every citizen of this

THE NEED FOR ACTION
There

is no constitutional

the Constitution is plain.

issue here.

I ask you to join me in working long hours, nights, and
weekends if necessary, to pass this bill.
And I don’t
make that request lightly. For from the window where
I sit with the problems of our country I am aware that
outside this chamber is the outraged conscience of a nation,
the grave concern of many nations, and the harsh judgment of history on our acts.

WE

—,The command

of

There is no moral issue. It is wrong to deny any of our
fellow Americans the right to vote.

There is no issue of states rights or national
There is only the struggle for human rights.

We cannot, we must not, refuse to protect the right of
every American to vote in every election that he may
desire to participate in. We ought not, we must not,
wait another eight months before we get a bill. We have
already waited a hundred years and more, and the time
for waiting is gone.

rights.

I have not the slightest doubt what will be your answer.

SHALL

OVERCOME

But even if we pass this bill, the battle will not be over.
What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement
which reaches into every section and state of America.
It is the effort of American Negroes to secure for themselves
the full blessings of American life.
Their cause must be our cause too. It is not just Negroes,
but it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy
of bigotry and injustice.

The last time a President sent a civil rights bill to the
Congress it contained a provision to protect voting rights
in Federal elections. ‘That civil rights bill was passed
after eight long months of debate. And when that bill
came to my desk from the Congress, the heart of the voting
provision had been eliminated.

As a man whose roots go deeply into Southern soil I
I know how
know how agonizing racial feelings are.
difficult it is to reshape the attitudes and the structure of
our society.

This time, on this issue, there must be no delay,
hesitation and no compromise with our purpose.

But a century has passed, more than a hundred years,
since the Negro was freed. And he is not fully free tonight.

[6|

no

And we shall overcome.

i9i

It was more than a hundred years ago that Abraham
Lincoln, a great President of the Republican party,
signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but emancipation

bors. There is no part of America where the promise of
equality has been fully kept.
In Buffalo as well as in

Birmingham,

in Philadelphia as well as in Selma,

Ameri-

is a proclamation and not a fact.

cans are struggling for the fruits of freedom.

A century has passed, more than a hundred years, since
equality was promised. And yet the Negro is not equal.

This is one nation. What happens in Selma or in Cincinnati is a matter of legitimate concern to every American.
But let each of us look within our own hearts and our own
communities, and let each of us put our shoulder to the
wheel to root out injustice wherever it exists.

A century has passed since the day of promise.
promise is still unkept.

The time of justice has now come. I tell
sincerely that no force can hold it back. It
eyes of man and God that it should come.
does, I think that day will brighten the

And the

you I believe
is right in the
And when it
lives of every

American.

e
it
wh
ny
ma
w
Ho
s.
tim
vic
y
onl
the
not
are
s
For Negroe
es
ili
fam
e
it
wh
ny
ma
w
ho
,
ed
at
uc
ed
un
ne
go
ve
ha
children
en
be
ve
ha
es
liv
e
it
wh
ny
ma
w
ho
y,
rt
ve
po
rk
sta
in
ed
have liv
our
d
an
gy
er
en
our
ed
st
wa
we
e
us
ca
be
r,
scarred by fea
?
ror
ter
d
an
ed
tr
ha
of
rs
rie
bar
the
in
ta
in
ma
substance to
t,
igh
ton
on
ti
na
the
in
all
to
d
an
e,
her
u
yo
of
all
to
say
So I

at
so
do
t
pas
the
to
on
d
hol
to
u
yo
to
al
pe
ap
o
that those wh
the cost of denying you your future.
This great, rich, restless country can offer opportunity
and
th
Nor
te,
whi
and
ck
bla
all:
to
e
hop
and
ion
cat
and edu
the
are
se
The
r.
lle
dwe
city
and
per
rop
rec
sha
South,
ene
the
are
ey
‘Th
e.
eas
dis
,
nce
ora
ign
y,
ert
pov
s:
enemie
mies and not our fellow man, not our neighbor. And these

enemies

overcome.

too,

poverty,

disease

and

ignorance,

we

shall

As we meet here in this historic chamber tonight, men
from the South, some of whom were at Iwo Jima—men
from the North who have carried Old Glory to far corners
of the world and brought it back without a stain on it—
men from the East and West, are all fighting together in
Vietnam without regard to religion, or color, or region.
Men from every region fought for us across the world
twenty years ago. And in these common dangers and
these common sacrifices the South made its contribution
of honor and gallantry no less than any other region of the
ereat Republic. And I have not the slightest doubt that
good men from everywhere in this country, from the Great
Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Golden Gate to the
harbors along the Atlantic, will rally together now in this
cause to vindicate the freedom of all Americans. For all
of us owe his duty; and I believe all of us will respond to it.

Your President makes that request of every American.

PROGRESS

THROUGH THE
PROCESS

DEMOCRATIC

Let none of us look with prideful righteousness on the
ghnei
our
of
ms
le
ob
pr
the
on
or
n,
tio
sec
r
the
ano
in
es
troubl

The real hero of this struggle is the American Negro.
His actions and protests, his courage to risk safety and
even to risk his life, have awakened the conscience of this
nation. His demonstrations have been designed to call

[8]

[9]

AN

AMERICAN

PROBLEM

stir
to
and
,
nge
cha
e
vok
pro
to
,
ice
ust
inj
to
ion
ent
att
reform. He has called upon us to make good the promise
ld
wou
we
t
tha
say
can
us
ng
amo
who
And
a.
ric
Ame
of
t
ten
sis
per
his
for
not
it
e
wer
ss
gre
pro
e
sam
the
e
mad
e
hav
bravery, and his faith in American democracy.

For at the real heart of battle for equality
belief in the democratic process. Equality
the force of arms or tear gas but upon the
right; not on recourse to violence but on

is a deep-seated
depends not on
force of moral
respect for law

and order.

There have been many pressures upon your President
and there will be others as the days come and go. But
I pledge you tonight that we intend to fight this battle
ss,
gre
Con
in
and
,
rts
cou
the
in
:
ght
fou
be
uld
where it sho
and in the hearts of men.

We must preserve the right of free speech and
of free assembly. But the right of free speech
carry with it, as has been said, the right to holler
ht
rig
the
ve
er
es
pr
st
mu
We
r.
ate
the
d
crowde
it
th
wi
ry
car
not
s
doe
ly
mb
se
as
e
fre
but
,
ly
mb
se
as
to block public thoroughfares to traffic.

the right
does not
fire in a
to free
the right

r
de
un
h
rc
ma
to
ht
rig
a
d
an
t,
tes
pro
to
ht
rig
a
ve
ha
We do
of
hts
rig
al
on
ti
tu
ti
ns
Co
the
ge
rin
inf
not
do
t
tha
ns
conditio
as
hts
rig
se
tho
all
t
ec
ot
pr
to
nd
te
in
I
d
An
s.
or
hb
ig
ne
our
long as I am permitted to serve in this office.

om
fr
s
ike
str
it
g
in
ow
kn
ce,
len
vio
t
ns
ai
ag
d
ar
gu
l
wil
We
—
ss
re
og
pr
k
see
we
h
ic
wh
th
wi
s
on
ap
we
y
ver
the
our hands
obedience to law and belief in American values.

In Selma tonight, as in every city, we are working for
just and peaceful settlement. We must all remember that
after this speech I am making tonight, after the police and
the FBI and the marshals have all gone, and after you have
promptly passed this bill, the people of Selma and the other
cities of the nation must still live and work together. And
when the attention of the nation has gone elsewhere they
must try to heal the wounds and to build a new community.
This cannot be easily done on a battleground of violence,
as the history of the South itself shows. It is in recognition
of this that men of both races have shown such an outstandingly impressive responsibility in recent days.

RIGHTS

MUST

The bill that I am
civil rights bill. But,
I am recommending
is to open the city of

BE

OPPORTUNITIES

presenting to you will be known as a
in a larger sense, most of the program
is a civil rights program. Its object
hope to all people of all races.

All Americans must have the right to vote.
going to give them that right.

And we are

All Americans must have the privileges of citizenship
regardless of race. And they are going to have those
privileges of citizenship regardless of race.
But I would like to remind you that to exercise these
privileges takes much more than just legal right. It requires a trained mind and a healthy body. It requires a
decent home, and the chance to find a job, and the opportunity to escape from the clutches of poverty.

We
ce.
pea
for
ay
pr
d
an
k
see
we
e
er
wh
se
el
as
a
In Selm
the
pt
ce
ac
not
l
wil
we
t
Bu
ty.
uni
k
see
We
er.
ord
seek
or
r,
fea
by
d
se
po
im
r
de
or
the
or
,
hts
rig
ed
ss
re
pp
su
peace of
d
se
ha
rc
pu
be
ot
nn
ca
e
ac
pe
For
t.
tes
pro
s
fle
sti
t
tha
the unity
at the cost of liberty.

Of course, people cannot contribute to the nation if they
are never taught to read or write, if their bodies are stunted
from hunger, if their sickness goes untended, if their life is
spent in hopeless poverty just drawing a welfare check.

[ 10|

par

So

we

to open

the

gates

PURPOSE

OF

THIS

want

to opportunity.

But

we

are also going to give all our people, black and white, the
help they need to walk through those gates.

THE

GOVERNMENT

My first job after college was as a teacher in Cotulla,
m
the
of
Few
.
ool
sch
an
ic
er
Am
nca
xi
Me
ll
sma
a
in
as,
Tex
h.
nis
Spa
h
muc
ak
spe
’t
ldn
cou
I
and
h,
lis
Eng
ak
spe
could
hwit
s
clas
to
e
cam
en
oft
y
the
and
r
poo
e
wer
ts
den
My stu
th
you
ir
the
in
n
eve
w
kne
y
The
.
gry
hun
out breakfast,
why
w
kno
to
med
see
er
nev
y
The
.
ice
jud
pre
the pain of
I
e
us
ca
be
so,
s
wa
it
ew
kn
y
the
But
.
em
th
ed
lik
people dis
the
in
e
lat
me
ho
ed
lk
wa
en
oft
I
s.
eye
ir
the
in
saw it
re
the
g
in
sh
wi
ed,
ish
fin
re
we
s
sse
cla
the
er
aft
n,
oo
rn
afte
h
ac
te
to
s
wa
ew
kn
I
all
But
do.
d
ul
co
I
was more that
em
th
p
hel
t
gh
mi
it
t
tha
ng
pi
ho
,
ew
kn
I
t
tha
tle
lit
the
them
against the hardships that lay ahead.

can
ed
tr
ha
d
an
y
rt
ve
po
at
wh
get
for
r
ve
ne
u
yo
Somehow
g
un
yo
a
of
e
fac
l
fu
pe
ho
the
on
rs
sca
its
see
u
do when yo
child.

ng
di
an
st
be
d
ul
wo
I
t
tha
8,
192
in
n,
the
t
gh
ou
th
r
ve
I ne
t
es
nd
fo
my
in
me
to
ed
rr
cu
oc
r
ve
ne
It
5.
196
in
e
her
d
an
s
son
the
p
hel
to
ce
an
ch
the
ve
ha
t
gh
mi
I
t
tha
dreams
em
th
e
lik
le
op
pe
lp
he
to
d
an
ts
en
ud
st
daughters of those
all over this country.

a
on
in
u
yo
let
l
’l
—I
ce
an
ch
at
th
ve
ha
But now I do
it
use
l
wil
u
yo
at
th
pe
ho
I
d
An
it.
secret—I mean to use

with me.

This is the richest
occupied the globe.
compared to ours.
who built empires,
minion. I want to

and most powerful country which ever
The might of past empires is little
But I do not want to be the President
or sought grandeur, or extended dobe the President who educated young

[127

children to the wonders of their world. I want to be the
President who helped to feed the hungry and to prepare
them to be taxpayers instead of tax-eaters. I want to be
the President who helped the poor to find their own way
and who protected the right of every citizen to vote in
every election. I want to be the President who helped
to end hatred among his fellow men and who promoted
love among the people of all races and all regions and all
parties. I want to be the President who helped to end
war among the brothers of this earth.

And

so at the

request

of your

beloved

Speaker

and

Senator from Montana, the Majority Leader, the Senator
from Illinois, the Minority Leader, Mr. McCulloch, and

other leaders of both parties, I came here tonight—not as
President Roosevelt came down one time in person to veto
a bonus bill, not as President Truman came down one time

to urge the passage of a railroad
you to share this task with me
people that we both work for. I
gress, Republicans and Democrats
things for all these people.

bill—I came
and to share
want this to
alike, which

here to ask
it with the
be the Condid all these

Beyond this great chamber, are the people we serve.
Who can tell what deep and unspoken hopes are in their
hearts tonight as they sit there and listen. We all can
guess, from our own lives, how difficult they often find their
own pursuit of happiness, how many problems each little
family has. They look most of all to themselves for their
futures. But I think that they also look to each of us.
Above the pyramid on the great seal of the United States
it says—in Latin—‘‘God has favored our undertaking.”
God will not favor everything that we do. It is rather
our duty to divine His will. But I cannot help believing
that He truly understands and that He really favors the
undertaking that we begin here tonight.

i353)

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Poor Peoples' Campaign

Poor Peoples' Campaign

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Poor Peoples' Campaign

Poor Peoples' Campaign

President Lyndon B. Johnson, correspondence

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