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The Great Society Legislation
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Volunteers in Service to America is Established
VISTA supports efforts to alleviate poverty by encouraging individuals from all walks of life to engage in a year of full-time service, without regard to regular working hours, with a sponsor to create programs designed help individuals and communities out of poverty. gif -
Economic Opportunity Act
Implemented by the since disbanded Office of Economic Opportunity, the Act included several social programs to promote the health, education, and general welfare of the poor. Although most of the initiatives in the Act have since been modified, weakened, or altogether rolled back, its remaining programs include Head Start, and Job Corps. Gif -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed in 1965 as a part of the "War on Poverty." ESEA emphasizes equal access to education and establishes high standards and accountability. The law authorizes federally funded education programs that are administered by the states. gif -
The Immigration Act
This act, also known as the Hart-Cellar Act, not only allows more individuals from third world countries to enter the US, but also entails a separate quota for refugees. gif -
The Department of Housing and Urban Development
A Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government. Although its beginnings were in the House and Home Financing Agency, it was founded as a Cabinet department in 1965, as part of the "Great Society" program of President Lyndon Johnson, to develop and execute policies on housing and metropolises. gif -
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. Among the groups of people served by Medicaid are certain U.S. citizens and resident aliens, including low-income adults and their children, and people with certain disabilities. gif -
Medicare
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria. Medicare operates similar to a single-payer health care system. gif -
The National Foundations of the Arts and Humanities
President Lyndon Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act into law. The act called for the creation of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as separate, independent agencies. The Washington Post called the creation of the endowments "a momentous step." gif -
Water Quality Act
Under the 1965 Act, States were directed to develop water quality standards establishing water quality goals for interstate waters. By the early 1970's, all the States had adopted such water quality standards. Since then, States have revised their standards to reflect new scientific information, the impact on water quality of economic development and the results of water quality controls. gif -
The Clean Water Restoration Act
creates the Water Pollution Control Administration within the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Next came the Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966, which imposed a fine of $100 per day on any polluter who failed to submit reports. gif -
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
empowers the federal government to set and administer new safety standards for motor vehicles and road traffic safety. The Act created the National Highway Safety Bureau. The Act was one of a number of initiative by the government in response to increasing number of cars and associated fatalities and injuries. gif
