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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Bill-Signing Ceremonies
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Bill-Signing Ceremonies

Artifact ID1965.28.342
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (1917 - 1991)
Gifter
Publisher ()
Date ca. August 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 15 in x W 11 in (38.1 cm x 27.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ sits a long desk with a stack of documents ("The Great Society") in front of him, and rows of pens beside him. LBJ is poised to sign a document as an elephant over his shoulder looks on in surprise. Caption reads: "Bill-Signing Ceremonies". Artist signature lower left: "Scott Long Minneapolis Tribune 1965".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at bottom center: "To: L.B.J. with warm good wishes! Scott Long".
Historical NoteThe Johnson Administration submitted 87 bills to Congress, and Johnson signed 84, or 96%, arguably the most successful legislative agenda in US congressional history. Presidents sometimes use multiple pens to sign one bill and then distribute them to the people standing nearby that helped get it passed. Because Lyndon Johnson signed so many laws as president, many pens were made so that he could give them to people afterwards. When Johnson decided not to run for president in 1968, a surplus of pens were already made in anticipation for his second term.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Minneapolis
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