University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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60s Programs Probed The domestic policies of two presi- dential administrations underwent analysis in a symposium entitled Toward New Human Rights: The Social Policies of the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. Attempting to determine which programs were viable during the New Frontier and Great Society years, keynote speak- ers Vernon E. Jordan Jr. and Arthur Schlesinger Jr. expressed feelings of doubt and anger at the present social programs. After proposing a new Bill of Rights for all persons, Jordan pro- claimed to the 900 present, It is time, long overdue, that our society build on the basis of the past 40 years for better social and human rights. Specialists in fields of economics, health programs, education and hous- ing focused on Kennedy ' s and John- son ' s efforts and their successes and failures in these areas. James Tobin, economics professor at Yale Univer- sity and former member of Kennedy ' s economic advisors said, The failure of the Kennedy and Johnson adminis- trations war on poverty could be attrib- uted to the Vietnam War . . . Lyndon Baines Johnson bravely fought to keep his Great Society programs from being sacrified for military spending. William Cohen, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and one of the two men who developed the Medicare and Medicaid programs, advocated changes in those programs in The Right to Health and Medical Care. Roger Wilkins, member of the New York Times editorial board, criti- 84 Human Rights Symposium

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Barnes asks government help to keep the theatre alive. Buckley describes modern capitalists as bumbling merchants fleeing to governmental security. 1 Through dramatic readings, science and imagination, Star Trek ' s William Shatner traces the course of man ' s progress toward the stars. Distinguished Lecture Series 83

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Lady Bird Johnson addresses the closing session of the LBJ Human Rights Symposium. iMr of Kennedy Thefailur ' ' Kip add be alt ggyApiEta 1 we Secretary fl ! cized the Great Society in a panel on civil rights. Although the Great Soci- ety of the Johnson Administration was a time of great fun and enthusiasm, it was essentially easy issues for easy people, he said. America can deceive itself into believing racism and discrimination have been eliminated. This deceptive veneer covers this country ' s natural predisposition of the attitude toward racism in this country. Lady Bird Johnson introduced the final topic of the five-day symposium, The Right to Equality Under the Law. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley remarks on the social programs of the 60s at the first session. Human Rights Symposium 85