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Speech

Howard University Commencement Address — 'To Fulfill These Rights'

President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered the Howard University commencement address urging stronger federal action to secure civil rights and endorsing 'affirmative action' measures for federal contractors and recipients of federal funds.

The speech marked a major public articulation of federal responsibility for remedying racial inequality and is widely cited as an early presidential endorsement of affirmative-action-style policies.

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