the earliest passage of the civil rights bill for which he fought so long. >> johnson gets that civil rights bill moving in the first few weeks after kennedy's assassination. >> dixiecrats led by richard russell announced a filibuster. that is they would continue to talk and prevent the bill from coming forward for a straight up our down vote. >> this bill which we feel is a perversion of the american way of life and a great blow at the right of dominion over private property that has been the genesis of our greatness. >> lbj and his allies knew they were short. so thus began a 24/7 campaign. he bullied. he cajoled. he made deals in order to get enough senators on board. >> surprisingly, after a year on capitol hill, this bill is stronger than the one president kennedy first requested. president johnson should have the bill on his desk by the