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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Somebody Cares
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Somebody Cares

Artifact ID1965.28.314
Artist (United States, 1919 - 2014)
Publisher (founded 1878)
Date ca. January 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/4 in x W 11 3/8 in (36.2 cm x 28.9 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A shabbily-clad man and woman sit on a bench reading a newspaper, while a child looks on. Thier home, in the background, is run-down. Caption reads: "Somebody Cares". Artist signature lower right: "Jon Kennedy".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Johnson - with continued admiration. Jon Kennedy 1-11-65".
Historical NoteThe most ambitious and controversial part of the Great Society was its initiative to end poverty. The Kennedy Administration had been contemplating a federal effort against poverty. Johnson, who, as a teacher, had observed extreme poverty in Texas among Mexican-Americans, launched an "unconditional war on poverty" in the first months of his presidency with the goal of eliminating hunger, illiteracy, and unemployment from American life.
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
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.
Not on view
Place of Publication