Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations. 1989.
NUMBER:
729
AUTHOR:
Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–73)
QUOTATION:
I believe that the essence of government lies with unceasing concern for the welfare and dignity and decency and innate integrity of life for every individual. I don’t like to say this and wish I didn’t have to add these words to make it clear but I will—regardless of color, creed, ancestry, sex or age.
ATTRIBUTION:
LYNDON B. JOHNSON, remarks at a civil rights symposium, LBJ Library, Austin, Texas, December 12, 1972.—Text, p. 1.
