[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 195 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  2d Session

                             H. J. RES. 195

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                            JOINT RESOLUTION

 Recognizing the end of slavery in the United States, and the true day 
                 of independence for African-Americans.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 195

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the end of slavery in the United States, and the true day 
                 of independence for African-Americans.

Whereas ``Juneteenth'' celebrations have been held informally for over 130 years 
        to commemorate the strong survival instincts of African-Americans who 
        were first brought to this country stacked in the bottoms of slave ships 
        during a month-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean known as the 
        ``Middle Passage'';
Whereas the Civil War was fueled by the economic and social divide caused by 
        slavery;
Whereas on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation 
        Proclamation, the enforcement thereof occurred only in those Confederate 
        States under the control of the Union Army;
Whereas on January 31, 1863, Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the 
        Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States and its 
        territories;
Whereas on April 9, 1865, when General Robert E. Lee surrendered on behalf of 
        the Confederate States at Appomattox, the Civil War was nonetheless 
        prolonged in the Southwest;
Whereas news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached each State at different 
        times;
Whereas the Emancipation Proclamation was not enforced in the Southwest until 
        June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, 
        Texas, to present and read General Order No. 3;
Whereas former slaves in the Southwest began celebrating the end of slavery and 
        recognized ``Juneteenth Independence Day''; and
Whereas ``Juneteenth'' allows us to look back on the past with an increased 
        appreciation for the strength of the men, women, and children who for 
        generations endured unspeakable cruelties in bondage: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the end of slavery in the 
United States should be celebrated and recognized.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 26, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.