PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/13/1971 - HFSID 45840

LYNDON B. JOHNSON
LBJ gives toys made by a famous toy maker to children in Head Start, a program he created as President.
Typed Letter Signed: "LBJ", 1p, 6½x10. On his Austin, Texas, monogrammed stationery, but written in Acapulco, Mexico, 1971 February 13. To toy maker David H. Marx, New York. In full: "We are reading your letter in Acapulco. As your wife thinks, the Texas air is great, but for some reason the sun deserted us lately and this seemed the best place to be after I left the hospital. It has really helped. I understand you and Mrs. Marx are good friends of our dear friend in Seguin, Mrs. Hilda Weinert. She says many nice things about both of you and told my secretary she would love to hear from you. At our house we thought it was the greatest Christmas ever, and it was hard to tell whether the grown people or the children were the most breathless over all the exciting toys. You are a good man. I am sorry that we did not get pictures also of my other little people -- 'Head Start' children -- whose lives have been made happier also by you." President Johnson, whose Great Society ideals included a multi-billion dollar anti-poverty program, signed the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. Head Start, one of the agencies established through the Act, prepared "culturally deprived" children of preschool age for school. Today, over 750,000 children receive nutritious meals and medical and dental care through the Head Start program. Creased, not at signature, else in fine condition.