President Lyndon B. Johnson Signs In Sweeping Civil Rights Bill

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keywords: civil rights act, president lyndon b. johnson, civil rights leaders

Synopsis: Calling it a turning point in history President Lyndon B. Johnson signs The Civil Rights Act of 1964 only hours after it was passed by Congressional vote...(read more)

Date: 1964
Duration: 00:02:58
Sound: Yes
Color: Monochrome
Type: Public Domain
Language: English
Location: England

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President Lyndon B. Johnson Signs In Sweeping Civil Rights Bill

President Lyndon B. Johnson Signs In Sweeping Civil Rights Bill

Congress passes the most sweeping Civil Rights Bill ever to be written into law, The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Five hours after the House votes on the measure, President Johnson signs it into law before an audience of Legislators and Civil Rights leaders at the White House. He calls it "a turning point in history" and uses a hundred pens to affix his signature.

Excerpt From President Johnson's Speech:

We must not approach the observance and enforcement of this law in a vengeful spirit. Its purpose is not to punish. Its purpose is not to divide, but to end divisions, divisions which have all lasted too long. Its purpose is national, not regional.

Its purpose is to promote a more abiding commitment to freedom, a more constant pursuit of justice, and a deeper respect for human dignity.We will achieve these goals because most Americans are law-abiding citizens who want to do what is right.

This is why the Civil Rights Act relies first on voluntary compliance, then on the efforts of local communities and States to secure the rights of citizens. It provides for the national authority to step in only when others cannot or will not do the job.

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 workingman, 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.