Film of LBJ Visit to Ohio University to be Shown May 8 in Alden Library

Contact: George W. Bain, (740) 593-2713

ATHENS, Ohio (May 7, 2000) -- On May 7, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Ohio University and spoke from the West Portico of Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium to a large audience on the College Green.

At 12:10 p.m. Monday, May 8, the Friends of the Libraries of Ohio University are sponsoring a brown bag lunch to show a film of the speech in Alden Library's Friends of the Library Room (Room 319).

"The film copy we have is obviously condensed," said George Bain, executive secretary of the Friends and head of Archives & Special Collections at Alden Library. "I believe LBJ is the only sitting president to visit the campus. His speech does include an early use of his call for 'the Great Society'."

The film also includes brief remarks by his daughter, Lynda Bird Johnson, former Ohio Gov. James Rhodes and former Ohio University President Vernon Alden. The black-and-white film has a running time of 25 minutes.

"The film was transferred to the archives some years back, but we did not view the film until recently," Bain said. "We plan to make a videotape copy for future showings and to conserve the film copy."

Bain will make a brief introduction and Bob Garbo, executive director of the Tri-County Community Action Agency, will deliver a brief commentary after the film. The program is free and open to the public and will conclude with a question-and-answer period.