The Great Society Unit 11

President Lyndon B. Johnson -Grew up in Johnson City, Texas. -His house did not have any electricity -Became a teacher and taught in Pearsall, Texas. The student body was predominately Mexican-America and all of LBJ’s students were living in poverty. “I shall never forget the faces of the boys and the girls in that little Welhausen Mexican School, and I remember even yet the pain of realizing and knowing then that college was closed to practically every one of those children because they were too poor. And I think it was then that I made up my mind that this nation could never rest while the door to knowledge remained closed to any American” -President Johnson

Economic Opportunity Act Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, authorized the formation of local Community Action Agencies as part of the War on Poverty. These agencies are directly regulated by the federal government. Purpose: -Eliminate poverty -Expand educational opportunities -Increase the safety net for the poor and unemployed -Tend to health and financial needs of the elderly

Job Corps Job Corps is a program administered by the United States Department of Labor that offers free-of-charge education and vocational training to youth ages 16 to 24.

Head Start Founded in 1965 The Head Start Program is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.

VISTA – Volunteers in Service to America VISTA is an anti-poverty program that works as the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Initially, the program increased employment opportunities for conscientious people who felt they could contribute tangibly to the War on Poverty. Volunteers served in communities throughout the U.S., focusing on enriching educational programs and vocational training for the nation's underprivileged classes.

Housing & Urban Development The Department of Housing and Urban Development is the principal Federal agency responsible for programs concerned with the Nation's housing needs, fair housing opportunities, and improvement and development of the Nation's communities.

Medicare & Medicaid

Elementary & Secondary Education Act The act is an extensive statute that funds primary and secondary education. It also emphasizes equal access to education and establishes high standards and accountability. In addition, the bill aims to shorten the achievement gaps between students by providing each child with fair and equal opportunities to achieve an exceptional education.

National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities Dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.  President Johnson felt science and math programs were dominating America, and wanted to push towards the arts & humanities.

Public Broadcasting Act Set up public broadcasting in the United States, establishing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and, eventually, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and National Public Radio (NPR). The act charged the CPB with encouraging and facilitating program diversity, and expanding and developing non-commercial broadcasting. The CPB would have the funds to help local stations create innovative programs, thereby increasing the service of broadcasting in the public interest throughout the country.

Immigration Act (1965) The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 abolished an earlier quota system based on national origin and established a new immigration policy based on reuniting immigrant families and attracting skilled labor to the United States.

Clean Air Act of 1963 The Clean Air Act of 1963 was the first federal legislation regarding air pollution control. It established a federal program within the U.S. Public Health Service and authorized research into techniques for monitoring and controlling air pollution.

National Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was enacted in the United States in 1966 to empower the federal government to set and administer new safety standards for motor vehicles and road traffic safety.