US Presidency
1967

On a similar occasion, at this rostrum in 1949, I heard a great American President, Harry S. Truman, declare this: The American people have decided that poverty is just as wasteful and just as unnecessary as preventable disease. Many listened to President Truman that day here in this Chamber, but few understood what was required and did anything about it. The executive branch and the Congress waited 15 long years before ever taking any action on that challenge, as it did on many other challenges that great President presented. And when, 3 years ago, you here in the Congress joined with me in a declaration of war on poverty, then I warned, It will not be a short or easy struggle no single weapon.. will suffice but we shall not rest until that war is won. And I have come here to renew that pledge tonight. I recommend that we intensify our efforts to give the poor a chance to enjoy and to join in this Nation's progress.