111. Editorial Note
On October 21, 1966, Congress passed the International Education Act (Public Law 89–698 (80 Stat. 1966)). President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law on October 29, during his trip to Bangkok, Thailand. Johnson was in Thailand as part of an Asia regional trip from October 17 to November 2, which also included visits to New [Page 344] Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea. (Lewis Gulick, “Johnson Begins History-Making Tour of Far East Today,” Washington Post, October 17, 1966, page A15; and John W. Finney, “Johnson is Home, ‘More Confident’ on Goals in Asia,” New York Times, November 3, 1966, page 1)
In his remarks, which he delivered at Chulalongkorn University before signing the Act, Johnson noted:
“One year ago at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., I proposed that my country, the United States of America, launch a concerted effort in international studies. I learned just a few days ago while I was already here in Asia that our Congress had acted on this proposal and passed a new law, the first step—the International Education Act. That will have to be implemented, as it will be, as we go along. Its purpose is to help Americans learn from other nations and, we hope, to help other nations learn from America. It will also establish a center for educational cooperation in Washington, D.C.
“I am so very proud that the American Congress has passed this act. I think it is fitting and appropriate to sign this program into law here today on this stage of this great university in a land where international cooperation has now become a national byword.” (Public Papers: Johnson, 1966, Book II, pages 1276–1278) For Johnson’s September 1965 remarks at the Smithsonian, see Document 60.
For additional information about Johnson’s trip to Asia, see Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume IV, Vietnam, 1966, Documents 280 and 281; Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume XXVI, Indonesia; Malaysia-Singapore; Philippines, Document 347; Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume XXVII, Mainland Southeast Asia; Regional Affairs, Documents 19, 333–335; and Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume XXIX, Part 1, Korea, Documents 94 and 96.