Remarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Bill

Lyndon Baines Johnson: Remarks
upon Signing the Civil Rights Billdelivered 2 July, 1964
My fellow Americans:
I am about to sign into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I want to take this occasion to talkto you about what that law means to every American.
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敢なOne hundred and eighty-eight years ago this week a small band of valiant men began along struggle for freedom. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor
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not only to found a nation, but to forge

an ideal of freedom--not only for political
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independence, but for personal liberty--not only to eliminate foreign rule, but to establish
the rule of justice in the affairs of men.

That struggle was a turning point in our history. Today in far corners of distant continents,
the ideals of those American patriots still shape the struggles of men who hunger forfreedom.

This is a proud triumph. Yet those who founded our country knew that freedom would besecure only if each generation fought to renew and enlarge its meaning. From the民兵

minutemen at Concord to the soldiers in Viet-Nam, each generation has been equal to thattrust.
Americans of every race and color have died in battle to protect our freedom. Americans ofevery race and color have worked to build a nation of widening opportunities. Now ourgeneration of Americans has been called on to continue the unending search for justice
within our own borders.
We believe that all men are created equal. Yet many are denied equal treatment.
不可侵のWe believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy
those rights.

IRemarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Bill
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We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being
deprived of those blessings--not because of their own failures, but because of the color of
their skin.
埋め込まれているThe reasons are deeply imbedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. We can怨恨understand--without rancor or hatred--how this all happened.
But it cannot continue. Our Constitution, the foundation of our Republic, forbids it. The
principles of our freedom forbid it. Morality forbids it. And the law I will sign tonight
forbids it.
That law is the product of months of the most careful debate and discussion. It was
proposed more than one year ago by our late and beloved President John F. Kennedy. It党 派 を 超 え た

received the bipartisan support of more than two-thirds of the Members of both the Houseand the Senate. An overwhelming majority of Republicans as well as Democrats voted for it.
It has received the thoughtful support of tens of thousands of civic and religious leaders in
all parts of this Nation. And it is supported by the great majority of the American people.
The purpose of the law is simple.
It does not restrict the freedom of any American, so long as he respects the rights of others.
It does not give special treatment to any citizen.
It does say the only limit to a man's hope for happiness, and for the future of his children,
shall be his own ability.
It does say that there are those who are equal before God shall now also be equal in the投票所

pollingbooths, in the classrooms, in the factories, and in hotels, restaurants, movie

theaters, and other places that provide service to the public.
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使するI am taking steps to implement the law under my constitutional obligation to "take care
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that the laws are faithfully executed."
指名First, I will send to the Senate my nomination of LeRoy Collins to be Director of the人種関係調停部

Community Relations Service. Governor Collins will bring the experience of a long career

IIRemarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Billof distinguished public service to the task of helping communities solve problems of humanrelations through reason and commonsense.
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Second, I shall appoint an advisory committee
職of distinguished Americans to assist

務Governor Collins in his assignment.
補正予算Third, I am sending Congress a request for supplemental

appropriations to pay fornecessary costs of implementing the law, and asking for immediate action.
Fourth, already today in a meeting of my Cabinet this afternoon I directed the agencies of負う

this Government to fully discharge the new responsibilities imposed upon them by the lawand to do it without delay, and to keep me personally informed of their progress.
Fifth, I am asking appropriate officials to meet with representative groups to promote
法の遵守greater understanding of the law and to achieve a spirit of compliance.
復 讐 的 な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 whichhave all lasted too long. Its purpose is national, not regional.
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Its purpose is to promote a more abiding

commitment to freedom, a more constantpursuit of justice, and a deeper respect for human dignity.
遵 法 的 なWe will achieve these goals because most Americans are law- abiding citizens who want to
do what is right.
法の遵守This is why the Civil Rights Act relies first on voluntary compliance, then on the efforts oflocal 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痕跡States, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of injustice in ourbeloved country.
So tonight I urge every public official, every religious leader, every business andprofessional man, every workingman, [and] every housewife--I urge every American--toIII

Remarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Billjoin in this effort to bring justice and hope to all our people--and to bring peace to our land.
My fellow citizens, 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
見 当 違 い のus lay aside irrelevant differences and make our Nation whole. Let us hasten that day
計 り 知 れ な い無限のwhen our unmeasured strength and our unbounded spirit will be free to do the great
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works ordained for this Nation by the just and wise God who is the Father of us all.
Thank you and good night.

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