November 1, 1998

"The Buck Stops Here"

The saying "the buck stops here" means "pass the buck" or pass the responsibility on to someone else. This saying came from the game of poker and a marker was used to say whose turn it was next to deal. If the player did not wish to deal, he could pass the responsibility, the "buck," to the next player.

President Truman used this saying in public statements. In 1952, Mr. Truman said, "You know, its easy for the Monday morning quarterback to say what the coach should have done, after the game is over.But when the decision is up before you--and on my desk I have a motto which says'The Buck Stops Here'-- the decision has to be made."

On January 1953, during his farewell address to the American people, President Truman said, "the President--whoever he is --has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That's his job."

The sign has been displayed at the Library since 1957.

"The Buck Stops Here" by Michele and Rick
Mill Creek Elem.
Independence, Mo.