Proclamation 3624—National First Voters Week

On the third day of November nest, nearly ten million of our citizens will be eligible to cast their first votes in a Presidential election.

For these young, persons, the forthcoming Presidential election will be a significant milestone. For the rest of us, this occasion will be no less important as we welcome a new group of young, vigorous, and forward-looking Americans to a full share in the privileges and responsibilities of free men.

Now, Therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the period October 25 through October 31, 1964, as National First Voters Week.

I urge local election officials, private citizens, and citizen organizations to make a special effort during that week to assist in every possible way the millions of persons who are about to cast their first vote in a Presidential election.

I also urge- our first voters to consider seriously during that week the solemn nature of the obligation they are about to assume.

In particular, I urge that our first voters

- go to the polls proudly, knowing that the duty they perform is the price of the-privilege they hold

- exercise their franchise gratefully, realizing that it is essential to their future as free men and women

- make their choice carefully, understanding its importance to themselves and their fellow Americans.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-ninth.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

By the President:

DEAN RUSK,

Secretary of State.