Question

remarks on the signing of the civil rights act
lyndon b. johnson
on july 2, 1964, president lyndon b. johnson signed the civil rights act of 1964, in his speech, “remarks on the signing of the civil rights act,” he discusses the importance of the occasional declaration of independence and the constitution as inspiration for his support of the new civil rights law.
in his speech, president lyndon b. johnson also talked about the civil rights act of 1964.
i am very glad that i consider it a privilege to talk to you about what has been taking shape in america. 100 years ago this week a great president abraham lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation. although it didn’t free a single slave, it was a beginning. the hope was born, but the promise was slow to come. the hope was sustained through the years of war and hatred and injustice. and then, 100 years later, the hope began to be fulfilled. all over america, the negro was on the march. as a citizen, he demanded, and won, the right to vote. as a worker, he demanded, and won, the right to a fair wage. as a human being, he demanded, and won, the right to be treated as a man. and now, in 1964, the hope has become a reality. the civil rights act of 1964 is a fact. it is the most comprehensive civil rights bill ever enacted in the history of the united states.
read the excerpt from paragraph 3:
it has received the bipartisan support of more than two - thirds of the members of both the house and the senate. an overwhelming majority of republicans as well as democrats voted for it. it has received the enthusiastic support of tens of thousands of civil - and religious - leaders in all parts of this nation. and it is supported by the great majority of the american people.
what was johnson’s message in his speech?
a. even civil and religious leaders across the nation believe the civil rights act is important.
b. the civil rights act is beneficial to the freedom and equality of all americans.
c. listeners should support the civil rights act because everyone else supports it.
d. both houses of congress have thrown their support behind the civil rights act.

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we analyze the excerpt. The excerpt mentions the Civil Rights Act received bipartisan support, support from Republicans and Democrats, support from tens of thousands of civil and religious leaders, and the great majority of the American people. Option D states "Both houses of Congress have thrown their support behind the Civil Rights Act", which aligns with the "bipartisan support of more than two - thirds of the members of both the House and the Senate" part of the excerpt. Option A is incorrect as the excerpt says civil and religious leaders support it, not that they "deem the nation believes...". Option B's claim about "beneficial to the freedom and equality of all Americans" is not directly stated in the given excerpt. Option C's "because everyone else supports it" is not the message; the excerpt is about the support it has, not why listeners should support it.

Answer:

D. Both houses of Congress have thrown their support behind the Civil Rights Act