Title: To fulfill these rights: commencement address at Howard University Speaker: Lyndon B Johnson Delivered On: 1965-06-04 Place: Washington, DC Subject: Baccalaureate addresses Howard University. Civil rights United States. Audio/Video Available: Listen Transcript/Log: View Transcript/log Description: In his commencement address at Howard University, Lyndon Johnson expressd his support for equal outcomes policies directed at Black Americans. He linked economic rights with civil rights and equality of outcome with equality of opportunity. He said: "It is not enough to open the gates of opportunity; all our citizens must have the ability to walk through those gates." This commitment to equality led to race- and gender-based quotas and preferences. These policies in turn led to legal and political challenges on the ground of reverse discrimination. NOTE: The President spoke at 6:35 p.m. on the Main Quadrangle in front of the library at Howard University in Washington, after being awarded an honorary degree of doctor of laws. His opening words referred to Dr. James M. Nabrit, President of the University. During his remarks he referred to Mrs. Patricia Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg and former associate professor of law at Howard University. References: