With a few brief strokes of this pen, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Vocational Education Act of 1963 into law. This act was very important in the development of America’s public education system, expanding funding for vocational education programs, improving gender equity in education, and establishing work-study programs for underprivileged students. Education was one of President Johnson’s chief concerns during his time in office. This passion for learning and knowledge stemmed from his days as a Texas schoolteacher, working primarily with severely underprivileged Mexican-American children in a segregated school on the outskirts of San Antonio. Later in his presidency, Johnson would sign the Higher Education Act of 1965, continuing his campaign as a champion of education and equality.

This fountain pen is mounted in a 14 x 12 inch framed display and was also the style used by John F. Kennedy before his assassination on November 22, 1963 and thus the style that was used by Johnson early in his administration. Two photographs of President Johnson and Dr. Arthur A. Hitchcock are displayed above this historic pen. The pen is etched with “The President-The White House”, and it has a black grip. This pen is a spectacular artifact of American history from one of the most important presidencies of the 20th century.

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