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Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes

36th U.S. President

Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, served from 1963 to 1969. He assumed the presidency following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and is known for his 'Great Society' programs aimed at reducing poverty and racial injustice.

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Famous Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes

“This Civil Rights Act is a challenge to all of us to go to work in our communities and our states, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of injustice in our beloved country. So tonight I urge every public official, every religious leader, every business and professional man, every working man, every housewife - I urge every American - to join in this effort to bring justice and hope to all our people, and to bring peace to our land.”

“So here is the Great Society. It's the time - and it's going to be soon - when nobody in this country is poor.”

Country Poor Economy Great Society

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“...International education cannot be the work of one country. It is the responsibility and promise of all nations. It calls for free exchange and full collaboration...The knowledge of our citizens is one treasure which grows only when it is shared.”

Country Nations Grows Responsibility Study Citizens Promise International Treasure Presidential Collaboration Study Abroad

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“I don't think that I need to tell you how important to the outcome of that race is the education legislation that is now before the Congress. I hope that it is important enough that most of you have studied it in detail. I hope that you understand that it represents the very best thinking that the leading educators of this country can produce.”

Thinking Needs Important Country Enough Race Education Produce Congress Details Outcomes Legislation Educator

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965

“For it was only after I could become President of this country that I could really see in all its hopeful and troubling implications just how much the hopes of our citizens and the security of our Nation and the real strength of our democracy depended upon the learning and the understanding of our people.”

People Real Country Nations Understanding President Education Democracy Security Citizens Hopeful Implications Real Strength

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1966

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1966

“This Congress did more to uplift education, more to attack disease in this country and around the world, and more to conquer poverty than any other session in all American history, and what more worthy achievements could any person want to have? For it was the Congress that was more true than any other Congress to Thomas Jefferson's belief that: 'The care of human life and happiness is the first and only legitimate objective of good Government.'”

“We must not only protect the country side and save it from destruction, we must restore what has been destroyed and salvage the beauty and charm of our cities ... Once our natural splendor is destroyed, it can never be recaptured. And once man can no longer walk with beauty or wonder at nature, his spirit will wither and his sustenance be wasted.”

Men Has Beens Country Spirit Sides Natural Walks Cities Wonder Protect Destruction Destroyed Charm Wilderness Splendor Sustenance Salvage

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“If I could get one message to you it would be this: the future of this country and the welfare of the free world depends upon our success in space. There is no room in this country for any but a fully cooperative, urgently motivated all-out effort toward space leadership. No one person, no one company, no one government agency, has a monopoly on the competence, the missions, or the requirements for the space program.”

“My most fervent prayer is to be a President who can make it possible for every boy in this land to grow to manhood by loving his country--instead of dying for it.”

Country Grows President Prayer Boys Land Dying Manhood Fervent Fervent Prayer

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963-1964

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963-1964

“I believe that the country weekly acts as a form of social cement in holding the community together.”

Believe Country Together Form I Believe Social Community Cement

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“Mr. Speaker, at a time when the nation is again confronted with necessity for calling its young men into service in the interestsof National Security, I cannot see the wisdom of denying our young women the opportunity to serve their country.”

Men Country Young Opportunity Nations Women Security Calling Men And Women Young Man Speakers Young Women National Security

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“We have heard all of our lives how, after the Civil War was over, the South went back to straighten itself out and make a living again. It was for many years a voiceless part of the government. The balance of power moved away from it--to the north and the east. The problems of the north and the east became the big problem of the country and nobody paid much attention to the economic unbalance the South had left as its only choice.”

“Never make a speech at a country dance or a football game.”

Country Games Football Speech Football Game

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“There is no Constitutional issue here. The command of the Constitution is plain. There is no moral issue. It is wrong - deadly wrong - to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country. There is no issue of States' rights or National rights. There is only the struggle for human rights.”

Humans Country States Moral Struggle Issues Rights Vote Constitution Fellows Human Rights Deny Command Right To Vote Moral Issues States Rights Voting Rights Act

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“John F. Kennedy was the victim of the hate that was a part of our country. It is a disease that occupies the minds of the few but brings danger to the many.”

Mind Country Hate Danger Disease Victim Our Country

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963-1964

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963-1964

“We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights. It is time now to write the next chapter - and to write it in the books of law.”

Writing Long Book Country Enough Law Next Rights Equal Presidential Chapters Equal Rights Next Chapter

Author:Lyndon B. Johnson

“I report to you that our country is challenged at home and abroad: that it is our will that is being tried and not our strength; our sense of purpose and not our ability to achieve a better America.”

Country Home America Purpose Ability Achieve Our Country Reports

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968-1969

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968-1969

“The moon and other celestial bodies should be free for exploration and use by all countries. No country should be permitted to advance a claim of sovereignty.”

Should Country Use Body Moon Claims Exploration Sovereignty Celestial Outer Space Celestial Bodies

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1966

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1966

“Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake - but for the future of our nation's sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not our military preparedness - for armed might is worthless if we lack the brainpower to build world peace; not our productive economy - for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government - for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.”

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965