【正文】 All the painand difficulty and struggle anddoubt all that is rubbed away. And we look at ourselves and we say, oh,things are just toodifferent now。 wecouldn’t possibly do what was done then these giants, whattheyacplished. And yet, they were men andwomen, too. It wasn’t easy then. It wasn’tcertain then.
　　Still, the story of America is astory of progress. However slow, howeverinplete, howeverharshly challenged at each point on our journey, howeverflawed our leaders, however manytimes we have to take a quarter of a loaf orhalf a loaf the story of America is a story ofprogress. And that’s true because of men like PresidentLyndon Baines Johnson. (Applause.
　　In so many ways, he embodiedAmerica, with all our gifts and all our flaws, in all ourrestlessness and allour big dreams. This man born intopoverty, weaned in a world full ofracial hatred somehow found within himselfthe ability to connect his experience with thebrown child in a small Texastown。 the white child in Appalachia。 the black child in Watts. Aspowerful as he became in that Oval Office,he understood them. He understood whatit meant tobe on the outside. And hebelieved that their plight was his plight too。 that his freedomultimately waswrapped up in theirs。 and that making their lives better was what the hellthepresidency was for. (Applause.)
　　And those children were on hismind when he strode to the podium that night in the HouseChamber, when hecalled for the vote on the Civil Rights law. “It never occurred to me,” he said, “in my fondest dreams that I mighthave the chance to help the sons and daughters of thosestudents” that he hadtaught so many years ago, “and to help people like them all overthiscountry. But now I do have thatchance. And I’ll let you in on a secret I mean to use I hope that youwill use it with me.” (Applause.)
　　That was LBJ’s greatness. That’s why we remember him. And if there is one thing that heand thisyear’s anniversary should teach us, if there’s one lesson I hope that Malia andSasha andyoung people everywhere learn from this day, it’s that with enougheffort, and enoughempathy, and enough perseverance, and enough courage, peoplewho love their country canchange it.
　　In his final year, PresidentJohnson stood on this stage, racked with pain, battered by thecontroversies ofVietnam, looking far older than his 64 years, and he delivered what would behisfinal public speech.
　　“We have proved that greatprogress is possible,” he said. “We knowhow much still remainsto be done. Andif our efforts continue, and if our will is strong, and if our hearts areright, and ifcourage remains our constant panion, then, my fellowAmericans, I am confident, weshall overe.” (Applause.)
　　We shall overe. We, the citizens of the United States. Like Dr. King, like AbrahamLincoln, likecountless citizens who have driven this country inexorably forward, PresidentJohnsonknew that ours in the end is a story of optimism, a story ofachievement and constant strivingthat is unique upon this Earth. He knew because he had lived that story. He believed thattogether we can build anAmerica that is more fair, more equal, and more free than the oneweinherited. He believed we make our owndestiny. And in part because of him, wemust believeit as well.
　　Thank you. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)