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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
While You're Doing Nothing...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

While You're Doing Nothing...

Artifact ID1966.64.23
Artist (United States)
Publisher (founded 1888)
Date ca. February 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 1/4 in x W 13 in (48.9 cm x 33 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ flies in a hot air ballon ("Inflation") and clutches at a branch on a crumbling cliff ledge to keep from rising. A man ("Meany") crawls on the ledge toward LBJ holding out a document ("Labor Demands") and a pen. Caption reads: "While You're Doing Nothing, How About Signing This?". Artist signature lower right: "Brooks The Birmingham News".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To: Presisent Lyndon Johnson - with my best wishes, Brooks 9-1-66". Handwritten across bottom: "- make 29 picas wide -" "- Friday - Feb. 25th .1966."
Historical NoteGeorge Meany was the president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and merged it with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1955 and continued to be president of the combined AFL-CIO. As president of the AFL-CIO, he supported the Civil Rights Movement, domestic programs like Medicare, and the United Farm Workers union.
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 personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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 George Meany (United States, 1894 - 1980)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication
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