Lyndon B. Johnson - Address to Congress on Voting Rights - 1965

Lyndon B. Johnson's "Address to Congress on Voting Rights" was delivered on March 15, 1965, to urge Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. In this speech, Johnson highlighted the injustices faced by African Americans in their efforts to vote and called for legislation to eliminate these discriminatory practices.

Johnson began by acknowledging the progress that had been made in the fight for civil rights, but emphasized that much work remained to be done. He pointed out that although the 15th Amendment to the Constitution had guaranteed African Americans the right to vote, many states had found ways to circumvent this law and prevent them from exercising that right.

Johnson then went on to describe the various methods used to disenfranchise African American voters, including literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices. He pointed out that these tactics were not only unjust, but also undermined the very principles of democracy upon which America was founded.

Johnson then called upon Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act, which would eliminate these discriminatory practices and ensure that all Americans had equal access to the ballot box. He emphasized that this was not a partisan issue, but rather a fundamental issue of justice and democracy.

Finally, Johnson ended his speech with a call to action, urging all Americans to come together in the fight for voting rights. He emphasized that this was a moral issue, and that it was the responsibility of all Americans to ensure that every citizen had the right to vote.

In summary, Johnson's "Address to Congress on Voting Rights" was a powerful call to action in the fight for civil rights. It highlighted the injustices faced by African American voters and called for legislation to eliminate discriminatory practices and ensure equal access to the ballot box. Johnson's passionate and persuasive speech played a key role in the eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act later that year. - with chatGPT



This image was created using DALL-E-2.


refer to caption 

- Full Text -

Lyndon B. Johnson's "Address to Congress on Voting Rights" delivered on March 15, 1965:

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the Congress:

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 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 — not as Democrats or Republicans. We are met here as Americans to solve that problem.

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." And those are not just clever words, and 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. It cannot be found in his power or in his position. It really rests on his right to be treated as a man equal in opportunity to all others. It says that he shall share in freedom, he shall choose his leaders, educate his children, provide for his family according to his ability and his merits as a human being.

To apply any other test, to deny a man his hopes because of his color or race or his religion or the place of his birth is not only to do injustice, it is to deny Americans and to dishonor the dead who gave their lives for American freedom.

My fellow Americans, we have come now to a time of testing. We must not fail.

Let us close the springs of racial poison. Let us pray for wise and understanding hearts. Let us lay aside irrelevant differences and make our nation whole. Let us hasten that day when our unmeasured strength and our unbounded spirit will be free to do the great works ordained for this nation by the just and wise God who is the father of us all.

Thank you and good night. - with chatGPT


Photos related to articles recommended using "chatGPT" and "unsplash.com". This picture can change every time you access it.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Winston Churchill - Funeral Address for King George VI - 1952

Image
 In February 1952, following the death of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill, who was serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, delivered a funeral address. This speech paid tribute to the late King and commemorated his life and reign. In his address, Churchill praised King George VI's unwavering dedication to his duties and his strong moral character. He acknowledged the King's perseverance through challenging times, such as World War II, and the critical role he played in uniting the nation and the Commonwealth during these difficult years. Churchill highlighted King George VI's deep sense of responsibility and his commitment to the welfare of his people, which endeared him to the British public. The Prime Minister also emphasized the King's steadfast support for the democratic principles and institutions that underpinned the British political system. Churchill spoke about the personal qualities of King George VI, describing him as a kind, compas...
Read more

Theodore Roosevelt's - The Man with the Muck-Rake - 1906

Image
  "The Man with the Muck-Rake" was a speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt on April 14, 1906, at the Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C. In his speech, Roosevelt addressed the issue of "yellow journalism" and criticized those who sought to expose the flaws and corruption of society without offering solutions to fix them. The speech was based on a passage from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," in which the character Ignorance is shown using a muck-rake to focus only on the dirt and filth on the ground while ignoring the crown above him. Roosevelt used this analogy to criticize journalists and writers who were only focused on exposing corruption and ignored the positive aspects of society. Roosevelt argued that it was important to recognize and acknowledge the problems in society, but it was equally important to offer solutions to fix them. He urged journalists and writers to use their platforms to promote constructive and positive change inst...
Read more

Richard Nixon - Apollo 11 Moon Landing Address - 1969

Image
On July 20, 1969, President Richard Nixon delivered a historic address to the nation, celebrating the successful Apollo 11 moon landing. This monumental achievement marked the first time humans had set foot on the moon, and it fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's ambitious goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 1960s. In his address, President Nixon commended the tremendous efforts of the astronauts—Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins—as well as the thousands of scientists, engineers, and support staff who had worked tirelessly to make the mission a success. He acknowledged the global impact of this accomplishment, describing it as a victory for humanity as a whole and a testament to the power of human ingenuity and determination. Nixon emphasized the importance of the United States' leadership in space exploration, asserting that the nation's commitment to science, technology, and innovation had enabled it to achieve this unprecedented milestone. He also...
Read more