US Presidency
1965

Therefore, I want to announce tonight that this fall I intend to call a White House conference of scholars, and experts, and outstanding Negro leaders, men of both races, and officials of Government at every level. This White House conference's theme and title will be To Fulfill These Rights. Its object will be to help the American Negro fulfill the rights which, after the long time of injustice, he is finally about to secure. To move beyond opportunity to achievement. To shatter forever not only the barriers of law and public practice, but the walls which bound the condition of many by the color of his skin. To dissolve, as best we can, the antique enmities of the heart which diminish the holder, divide the great democracy, and do wrong, great wrong, to the children of God. And I pledge you tonight that this will be a chief goal of my administration, and of my program next year, and in the years to come.