Statement by the President Upon Signing Bill Relieving Certain Explorer Scouts From Duties on Imported Band Uniforms.
I HAVE TODAY signed H.R. 8647, for the relief of the Troubadors Drum and Bugle Corps of Bridgeport, Conn.
The bill relieves a group of underprivileged Explorer Scouts from customs duties on band uniforms imported from Mexico. The duties imposed were substantially beyond their means or expectations.
I recognize the worthy motives that inspired the passage of H.R. 8647, and I shall not deny relief to these young men after Congress has unanimously approved a measure in their behalf.
Nevertheless, in fairness to others who import goods from abroad, relief of this kind should be sparingly accorded. I do not regard approval of the measure as establishing a favorable precedent for Presidential action on similar bills in the future.
Note: As enacted, H.R. 8647 is Private Law 89-241 (80 Stat. 1625).
The statement was released at San Antonio, Texas.
Lyndon B. Johnson, Statement by the President Upon Signing Bill Relieving Certain Explorer Scouts From Duties on Imported Band Uniforms. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/239333