The Civil Rights Act: Getting It Right

On June 19, 1964, the US Civil Rights Act is approved by the Senate, 73 to 27. It endured an 83-day filibuster. Nine of those days superceded a call for closure on the subject. On July 2, 1964, it becomes law.

Here is President Johnson's announcement of the bill's passage on television:

Here is a link to the original New York Times article and a transcript.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Bill begins: 

To enforce the constitutional right to vote, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations, to authorize the Attorney General to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education, to extend the Commission on Civil Rights, to prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs, to establish a Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Civil Rights Act of 1964".

Pres. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act. Dr. ML King is right bend him. (courtesy LBJ Library, University of Texas)

Link to the complete Bill.

Let it fly!