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Historic dipping pen attributed to President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 (H.R. 7152), presented to Michigan Congressman James G. O'Hara. The official 'bill signer' Esterbrook pen measures 6.25˝ long and features a black plastic grip with a Lucite handle imprinted with "The President—The White House." The pen is mounted with a mimeographed copy of the first page of the act: “To enforce the constitutional right to vote, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations, to authorize the Attorney General to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education, to extend the Commission on Civil Rights, to prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs, to establish a Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity, and for other purposes.” Framed to an overall size of 10.25 x 13.5. In fine condition, with mottled toning to the page.
Prior to his assassination, President Kennedy had called for legislation to end racial discrimination and segregation in public accommodations, public education, and federally assisted programs. Shortly after his death, President Johnson urged Congress to honor his memory by passing such an act, declaring, 'We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights. We have talked for one hundred years or more. It is time now to write the next chapter, and to write it in the books of law.' His appeal was successful and manifested itself in HR 7152, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that banned segregation and racial discrimination while guaranteeing equal job opportunities. Its tremendous sociopolitical impact made the Civil Rights Act a crowning achievement of the 1960s Democrats and one of the most important laws passed in the 20th century.
A Democrat from Michigan, the Hon. James G. O'Hara served in the House of Representatives from 1959 to 1977. He was recognized as one of his party's most skilled floor leaders and legislative strategists, and led efforts to secure voting rights for Black Americans. A liberal ally of the Civil Rights Movement, O'Hara helped to ensure the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The pen originates directly from O'Hara's son, who notes: "My father Hon. James G. O'Hara, former Congressman from the 7th and 12th district of Michigan, was a crusader for civil rights and a close friend of president Lyndon Baines Johnson. He received this pen used in the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as several other pens from LBJ. He also received a plaque from Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. for his devoted efforts in getting the Civil Rights Act passed into law. I always felt that these represented the most important achievement of his 18 years in Congress."
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