308. Editorial Note

On August 10, President Johnson signed into law Joint Resolution 1145, “To Promote the Maintenance of International Peace and Security in Southeast Asia” as Public Law 88–408. (78 Stat. 384) The Joint Resolution had passed the Senate (88–2) and the House of Representatives (416–0) on August 7. For text of President Johnson’s remarks at the signing, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963–64, Book II, pages 946–947, and Department of State Bulletin, August 31, 1964, pages 302–303.

The resolution expressed Congressional approval and support of the “determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” It is printed ibid., August 24, 1964, page 268. For an earlier draft of the resolution, see the attachment to Document 278.