Lyndon Johnson in Pres. Johnson's State of the Union speeches
On Crime:
Discover the causes of crime and better ways to prevent it
Every citizen has the right to feel secure in his home and on the streets of his community. To help control crime, we will recommend programs to:- train local law enforcement officers
- put the best techniques of modern science at their disposal
- discover the causes of crime and better ways to prevent it.
I will assemble a panel of experts to search out answers to the national problem of crime and delinquency, and I welcome the recommendations and the constructive efforts of the Congress.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Environment:
Green legacy for tomorrow: more parks & open spaces
For over three centuries the beauty of America has sustained our spirit and has enlarged our vision. We must act now to protect this heritage. We must make a massive effort to save the countryside and to establish--as a green legacy for tomorrow--more
large and small parks, more seashores and open spaces than have been created during any other period in our national history.- A new and substantial effort must be made to landscape highways to provide places of relaxation and recreation wherever
our roads run
- Within our cities imaginative programs are needed to landscape streets and to transform open areas into places of beauty and recreation
- We will seek legal power to prevent pollution of our air and water before it happens. We will step
up our effort to control harmful wastes, giving first priority to the cleanup of our most contaminated rivers. We will increase research to learn much more about the control of pollution.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Free Trade:
Expand world trade: goods should move freely across borders
Our ultimate goal is a world without war, in which all men, goods, and ideas can freely move across every border and every boundary. We must advance toward this goal in 1964 in at least 10 different ways:- We must maintain our margin of military
safety and superiority
- We must take new steps toward the control and the eventual abolition of arms
- We must make increased use of our food as an instrument of peace
- We must assure our pre-eminence in the peaceful exploration of outer space
-
We must expand world trade. We are willing to give our trading partners competitive access to our market, asking only that they do the same for us
- We must continue recent progress toward balancing our international accounts
- We must become better
neighbors with the free states of the Americas
- We must strengthen the ability of free nations to raise their standard of living
- We must strengthen our Atlantic and Pacific partnerships
- We must bridge the gap between the East and the West.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Jobs:
Oppose 35-hour workweek, but also oppose excessive overtime
For our goal is not merely to spread the work. Our goal is to create more jobs. I believe the enactment of a 35-hour week would sharply increase costs, would invite inflation, would impair our ability to compete, and merely share instead of creating
employment. But I am equally opposed to the 45- or 50-hour week in those industries where consistently excessive use of overtime causes increased unemployment.
So, therefore, I recommend legislation authorizing the creation of a tripartite industry committee to determine on an industry-by-industry basis as to where a higher penalty rate for overtime would increase
job openings without unduly increasing costs, and authorizing the establishment of such higher rates.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Jobs:
Extend minimum wage to 2 million unprotected workers
We can help insure continued prosperity through:- a regional recovery program to assist the development of stricken areas left behind by our national progress;
- further efforts to provide our workers with the skills demanded by modern technology,
for the laboring-man is an indispensable force in the American system;
- the extension of the minimum wage to more than 2 million unprotected workers;extension of the minimum wage to more than 2 million unprotected workersthe improvement and the moderni
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Principles & Values:
Continue JFK's plans, not in sorrow, but because it's right
Let us carry forward the plans and programs of John Fitzgerald Kennedy--not because of our sorrow or sympathy, but because they are right. In his memory today, I especially ask all members of my own political faith, in this election year, to put
your country ahead of your party, and to always debate principles; never debate personalities. For my part, I pledge a progressive administration which is efficient, and honest and frugal.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Welfare & Poverty:
War on poverty will not be a short or easy struggle
Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope--some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, and all too many because of both. Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity.This administration today, here
and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. It will not be a short or easy struggle, no single weapon or strategy will suffice, but we shall not rest until that war is won. The richest Nation on earth can afford to win it. We cannot afford
to lose it. $1,000 invested in salvaging an unemployable youth today can return $40,000 or more in his lifetime.
Poverty is a national problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must also be
organized at the State & local level and must be supported and directed by State & local efforts.
The program will emphasize this cooperative approach to help that 1/5 of all American families with incomes too small to even meet their basic needs.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Welfare & Poverty:
National Service Corps as a domestic Peace Corps
[The War on Poverty] must pursue poverty, pursue it wherever it exists. Our aim is not only to relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it. No single piece of legislation, however, is going to suffice:- We will
launch a special effort in the chronically distressed areas of Appalachia.
- We must expand our small but our successful area redevelopment program.
- We must enact youth employment legislation to put jobless, aimless, hopeless youngsters to work on
useful projects.
- We must distribute more food to the needy through a broader food stamp program.
- We must create a National Service Corps to help the economically handicapped of our own country as the Peace Corps now helps those abroad.
- We must
modernize our unemployment insurance and establish a high-level commission on automation.
- We must extend the coverage of our minimum wage laws to more than 2 million workers now lacking this basic protection of purchasing power.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1964
On Foreign Policy:
State of the Union depends on state of the world
Today the state of the Union depends, in large measure, upon the state of the world. Our concern and interest, compassion and vigilance, extend to every corner of a dwindling planet.Yet, it is not merely our concern but the concern of all free men.
We will not, and we should not, assume that it is the task of Americans alone to settle all the conflicts of a torn and troubled world. Let the foes of freedom take no comfort from this. For in concert with other nations, we shall help men defend
their freedom. The community of nations requires mutual respect. We shall extend it--and we shall expect it.
Our own freedom and growth have never been the final goal of the American dream. We were never meant to be an oasis of liberty and abundance
in a worldwide desert of disappointed dreams. Our Nation was created to help strike away the chains of ignorance and misery and tyranny wherever they keep man less than God means him to be.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1965 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 4, 1965
On Foreign Policy:
Lines of policy: strength; non-proliferation; common defense
I will follow the five continuing lines of policy that America has followed under its last four Presidents.- Strength: We are strong enough to keep all of our commitments. We will need expenditures of $58.3 billion for the next fiscal year to
maintain this necessary defense might.
- Effort to control, and to reduce, and to ultimately eliminate the modern engines of destruction. We will vigorously pursue existing proposals--and seek new ones--to control arms and to stop the spread of nuclear
weapons.
- Help build those associations of nations which reflect the opportunities and the necessities of the modern world. By strengthening the common defense, by stimulating world commerce, by meeting new hopes, these associations serve the cause of
a flourishing world.
- Help improve the life of man. This year I propose major new directions in our program of foreign assistance to help those countries who will help themselves.
- Support of national independence.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On Government Reform:
Stimulate small contributions to parties and candidates
As the process of election becomes more complex and more costly,
we must make it possible for those without personal wealth to enter public life without being obligated to a few large contributors.
Therefore, I will submit legislation to revise the present unrealistic restriction on contributions--to prohibit the endless proliferation of committees, bringing local and State committees under the act--to attach strong teeth and severe
penalties to the requirement of full disclosure of contributions--and to broaden the participation of the people, through added tax incentives, to stimulate small contributions to the party and to the candidate of their choice.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On Government Reform:
Change House term to 4 years, to avoid constant campaigning
To strengthen the work of Congress I strongly urge an amendment to provide a 4-year term for Members of the House of Representatives-which should not begin before 1972.
The present 2-year term requires most Members of Congress to divert enormous energies to an almost constant process of campaigning--depriving this Nation of the fullest measure of both their skill and their wisdom.
Today, too, the work of government is far more complex than in our early years, requiring more time to learn and more time to master the technical tasks of legislating. And a longer term will serve to attract more men of the highest quality to political
life. The Nation, the principle of democracy, and, I think, each congressional district, will all be better served by a 4-year term for Members of the House. And I urge your swift action.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On Principles & Values:
We can fight in Vietnam while also building a Great Society
Our Nation tonight is engaged in a brutal and bitter conflict in Vietnam. It just must be the center of our concerns.We will not permit those who fire upon us in Vietnam to win a victory over the desires and the intentions of all the American people.
This Nation is mighty enough, its society is healthy enough, its people are strong enough, to pursue our goals in the rest of the world while still building a Great Society here at home.
I recommend that [Congress] provides the resources to carry forward, with full vigor, the great health and education programs that Congress enacted into law last year. I recommend that we prosecute with vigor and determination our war on poverty.
I recommend to you a program to rebuild completely, on a scale never before attempted, entire central and slum areas of several of our cities in America.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On Technology:
New Department of Transportation, including Highway Safety
[We must] arrest the destruction of life and property on our highways. I will propose a Highway Safety Act of 1966 to seek an end to this mounting tragedy.It is the genius of our Constitution that under its shelter of enduring institutions and rooted
principles there is ample room for the rich fertility of American political invention. We must change to master change. I propose to take steps to modernize and streamline the executive branch, to modernize the relations between city and State and Nation
A new Department of Transportation is needed to bring together our transportation activities. The present structure--35 Government agencies, spending $5 billion yearly--makes it almost
impossible to serve either the growing demands of this great Nation or the needs of the industry, or the right of the taxpayer to full efficiency and real frugality.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On War & Peace:
North Vietnam wants conquest; we stay to stop aggression
Not too many years ago Vietnam was a peaceful, if troubled, land. In the North was an independent Communist government. In the South a people struggled to build a nation, with the friendly help of the United States.There were some in South Vietnam
who wished to force Communist rule on their own people. But their progress was slight. Their hope of success was dim. Then, little more than 6 years ago, North Vietnam decided on conquest. And from that day to this, soldiers and supplies have moved from
North to South in a swelling stream that is swallowing the remnants of revolution in aggression.
As the assault mounted, our choice gradually became clear. We could leave, abandoning South Vietnam to its attackers and to certain conquest, or we could
stay and fight beside the people of South Vietnam. We stayed. And we will stay until aggression has stopped. We do not intend to abandon Asia to conquest.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On Welfare & Poverty:
Three paths of Great Society: growth, justice and liberation
The Great Society leads us along three roads--growth and justice and liberation.- First is growth--the national prosperity which supports the well-being of our people and which provides the tools of our progress. Workers are making more money than
ever--with after-tax income in the past 5 years up 33%. More people are working than ever before in our history--an increase last year of 2 1/2 million jobs.
- The second road is justice. Justice means a man's hope should not be limited by the color of
his skin. I propose legislation to establish unavoidable requirements for nondiscriminatory jury selection--and to give the Attorney General the power necessary to enforce those requirements.
- The third path is the path of liberation. It is to use our
success for the fulfillment of our lives. A great nation is one which breeds a great people. A great people flower not from wealth and power, but from a society which spurs them to the fullness of their genius. That alone is a Great Society.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 12, 1966
On Crime:
National Crime Commission: all-out effort to combat crime
This Nation must make an all-out effort to combat crime. The 89th Congress gave us a new start in the attack on crime by passing the Law Enforcement Assistance Act that I recommended. We appointed the National Crime Commission to study crime in America
and to recommend the best ways to carry that attack forward.This is not a war that Washington alone can win. The idea of a national police force is repugnant to the American people. Crime must be rooted out in local communities by local authorities.
Our policemen must be better trained, must be better paid, and must be better supported by the local citizens that they try to serve and to protect. And so I will recommend the Safe Streets and Crime Control Act. It will enable us to assist those States
and cities that try to make their streets and homes safer, their police forces better, their corrections systems more effective, and their courts more efficient. The Federal Government will be able to provide a substantial percentage of the cost.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 10, 1967
On Families & Children:
Develop educational public television
We should develop educational television into a vital public resource to enrich our homes, educate our families, and to provide assistance in our classrooms.
We should insist that the public interest be fully served through the public's airwaves. And I will propose these measures to the 90th Congress.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 10, 1967
On Homeland Security:
Outlaw all wiretapping--except for national security
We should protect what Justice Brandeis called the "right most valued by civilized men"--the right to privacy. We should outlaw all wiretapping--public and private--wherever and whenever it occurs, except when the security of this Nation itself is
at stake--and only then with the strictest governmental safeguards. And we should exercise the full reach of our constitutional powers to outlaw electronic "bugging" and "snooping."
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 10, 1967
On Principles & Values:
Programs, partnerships, priorities, prosperity, and peace
The 5 ways of carrying forward the progress of these last 3 years concern programs, partnerships, priorities, prosperity, and peace.- Programs: We must see to it that these new programs that we have passed work effectively and are administered in
the best possible way.
- Partnership--to create an effective partnership at all levels of government, beginning between the executive and the Congress.
- Priorities: to move ahead on the priorities that we have established within the resources that are
available. Let us resolve, now, to do all that we can, with what we have--knowing that it is far, far more than we have ever done before, and far, far less than our problems will ultimately require.
- Prosperity: to keep our economy moving ahead, moving
ahead steadily and safely.
- Peace: I come now finally to Southeast Asia-and to Vietnam in particular. We are in Vietnam because we are committed by the SEATO Treaty to "act to meet the common danger" of aggression.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 10, 1967
On Social Security:
Raise social security payments by 15%-20%
Let us insure that older Americans, and neglected Americans, share in their Nation's progress. We should raise social security payments by an overall average of 20 percent. That will add $4.1 billion to social security payments in the first year.
I will recommend that each of the 23 million Americans now receiving payments get an increase of at least 15%.I will ask that you raise the minimum payments by 59%--from $44 to $70 a month, and to guarantee a minimum benefit of $100 a month for
those with a total of 25 years of coverage. We must raise the limits that retired workers can earn without losing social security income.
We must eliminate by law unjust discrimination in employment because of age. We should embark upon a major effort
to provide self-help assistance to the forgotten in our midst--the American Indians and the migratory farm workers. And we should reach with the hand of understanding to help those who live in rural poverty.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 10, 1967
On Tax Reform:
6% surcharge to restrain unbalanced economic expansion
We have now enjoyed 6 years of unprecedented & rewarding prosperity. Last year, in 1966:- Wages were the highest in history-and the unemployment rate, announced yesterday, reached the lowest point in 13 years;
- Total after-tax income of American
families rose nearly 5%
- Corporate profits after taxes rose a little more than 5%
- Our gross national product advanced 5.5%, to about $740 billion;
- Income per farm went up 6%.
Our greatest disappointment in the economy during 1966 was the
excessive rise in interest rates and the tightening of credit. They imposed very severe and very unfair burdens. Last year, I recommended fiscal and moderate tax measures to try to restrain the unbalanced pace of economic expansion. Legislatively and
administratively we took several billions out of the economy. I recommend a surcharge of 6% on both corporate and individual income taxes--to last for 2 years or for so long as the unusual expenditures associated with our efforts in Vietnam continue.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 10, 1967
On Corporations:
Consumer safety laws from market fraud to radiation safety
When we act to advance the consumer's cause, I think we help every American. We enacted the Wholesome Meat Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, the Product Safety Commission, and a law to improve clinical laboratories. The Senate has already passed the
truth-in-lending bill, the fire safety bill, and the pipeline safety laws. I also urge final action on a measure that is already passed by the House to guard against fraud and manipulation in the Nation's commodity exchange market.
And I think we must do more. I propose:- New powers for the Federal Trade Commission to stop those who defraud and who swindle our public.
- New safeguards to insure the quality of fish and poultry, and the safety of our community water
supplies.
- A major study of automobile insurance.
- Protection against hazardous radiation from television sets and other electronic equipment.
- Appoint a consumer counsel in the Justice Department--a lawyer for the American consumer.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1968 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 17, 1968
On Crime:
War on Crime: $100M for state & local master plans
We, at every level of the government, State, local, Federal, know that the American people have had enough of rising crime and lawlessness in this country. They recognize that law enforcement is first the duty of local police and local government. But
the people also recognize that the National Government can and the National Government should help the cities & States in their war on crime to the full extent of its resources and its constitutional authority. This does not mean a national police force.
It does mean help and financial support:- to develop State and local master plans to combat crime,
- to provide better training and better pay for police, and
- to bring the most advanced technology to the war on crime in every city and every
county in America.
There is no more urgent business before this Congress than to pass the Safe Streets Act this year that I proposed last year. I have doubled my request under this act to $100 million in fiscal 1969.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1968 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 17, 1968
On Drugs:
Stricter penalties trafficking LSD and other dangerous drugs
This year, I will propose a Drug Control Act to provide stricter penalties for those who traffic in LSD and other dangerous drugs with our people. I will ask for more vigorous enforcement of all of our drug laws by increasing the number of Federal drug
and narcotics control officials by more than 30%.The time has come to stop the sale of slavery to the young. I also request you to give us funds to add immediately 100 assistant US attorneys throughout the land to help prosecute our criminal laws.
We have increased our judiciary by 40% and we have increased our prosecutors by 16 percent. The dockets are full of cases because we don't have assistant district attorneys to go before the Federal judge and handle them. We start these young lawyers at
$8,200 a year. And the docket is clogged because we don't have authority to hire more of them. I ask the Congress for authority to hire 100 more. These young men will give special attention to this drug abuse, too.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1968 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 17, 1968
On Gun Control:
Proper gun control law to end mail-order murder
There is no more urgent business before this Congress than to pass the Safe Streets Act this year that I proposed last year. I have doubled my request under this act to $100 million in fiscal 1969.
And I urge the Congress to stop the trade in mail-order murder, to stop it this year by adopting a proper gun control law.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1968 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 17, 1968
On Health Care:
Child health program: prenatal care thru child's first year
Better health for our children--all of our children--is essential if we are to have a better America. American medicine--with the very strong support and cooperation of public resources-has produced a phenomenal decline in the death rate from many of the
dread diseases. But it is a shocking fact that, in saving the lives of babies, America ranks 15th among the nations of the world. And among children, crippling defects are often discovered too late for any corrective action. This is a tragedy that
Americans can, and Americans should, prevent.I shall, therefore, propose a child health program to provide, over the next 5 years, for families unable to afford it--access to health services from prenatal care of the mother through the child's first
year.
When we do that you will find it is the best investment we ever made because we will get these diseases in their infancy and we will find a cure in a great many instances that we can never find by overcrowding our hospitals when they are grown.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1968 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 17, 1968
On War & Peace:
Enemy in Vietnam hopes our will to persevere can be broken
Since I reported to you last January:- Three elections have been held in Vietnam--in the midst of war and under the constant threat of violence.
- A President, a Vice President, a House & Senate, and village officials have been chosen by popular,
contested ballot.
- The enemy has been defeated in battle after battle.
- The number of South Vietnamese living in areas under Government protection tonight has grown by more than a million since January of last year.
These are all marks of
progress. Yet:- The enemy continues to pour men and material across frontiers and into battle, despite his continuous heavy losses.
- He continues to hope that America's will to persevere can be broken.
Well--he is wrong. America will persevere. Our patience and our perseverance will match our power. Aggression will never prevail.
But our goal is peace--and peace at the earliest possible moment.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1968 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 17, 1968
On Gun Control:
Licensing and registration act for firearms
In the Safe Streets Act, Congress determined "To assist state and local governments in reducing the incidence of crime." This year I am proposing that the Congress provide the full $300 million to do just that.I believe this is an essential
contribution to justice and to public order in the United States. I hope these grants can be made to the States and they can be used effectively to reduce the crime rate in this country. But all of this is only a small part of the total effort that must
be made--I think chiefly by the local governments throughout the Nation--if we expect to reduce the toll of crime that we all detest.
Frankly, as I leave the Office of the Presidency, one of my greatest disappointments is our failure to secure
passage of a licensing and registration act for firearms. I think if we had passed that act, it would have reduced the incidence of crime. I believe that the Congress should adopt such a law, and I hope that it will at a not too distant date.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1969 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 14, 1969
On Welfare & Poverty:
Urban Development Bank; build 500,000 homes for needy
In 1966, Congress declared that "improving the quality of urban life is the most critical domestic problem." Two years later it affirmed the historic goal of "a decent home for every American family." Now to meet these commitments, we must increase our
support for the model cities program.To achieve the goals of the Housing Act of 1968 that you have already passed, we should begin this year more than 500,000 homes for needy families in the coming fiscal year. Funds are provided in the new budget to
do just this. This is almost 10 times--10 times--the average rate of the past 10 years.
Our cities and our towns are being pressed for funds to meet the needs of their growing populations. So I believe an urban development bank should be created by
the Congress. This bank could obtain resources through the issuance of taxable bonds and it could then lend these resources at reduced rates to the communities throughout the land for schools, hospitals, parks, and other public facilities.
Source: Pres. Johnson's 1969 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 14, 1969
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019