[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               JUNETEENTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentlewoman from Michigan [Miss Collins] is recognized 
during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
bill that will recognize the significance of the oldest black 
celebration in American history, June 19--known affectionately as 
``Juneteenth.'' This bill would recognize Juneteenth as the day of 
celebrating the end of slavery in the United States and as the true day 
of independence for African-Americans in this country.
  Juneteenth is the traditional celebration of the day on which the 
last slaves in America were freed. Although slavery was officially 
abolished in 1863, news of freedom did not spread to all slaves for 
another 2\1/2\ years--June 19, 1865. On that day, U.S. General Gordon 
Granger, along with a regiment of Union Army soldiers, rode into 
Galveston, TX, and announced that the State's 200,000 slaves were free. 
Vowing to never forget the date, the former slaves coined a nickname 
for their cause of celebration--a blend of the words ``June'' and 
``nineteenth.''
  June 19, 1865, has been traditionally associated with the end of 
slavery in the Southwest. However, because of the importance of the 
holiday, it did not take long for Juneteenth celebrations to spread 
beyond the States in the Southwest and into other parts of the country. 
Today, due in large part to the hard work and dedication of 
individuals, like Lula Briggs Galloway and Dr. Ronald Meyer of the 
National Association of Juneteenth lineage, who have fought hard to 
revive and preserve the Juneteenth celebration, the holiday is 
celebrated by several million blacks and whites in more than 130 cities 
across the United States and Canada. In Texas and Oklahoma, Juneteenth 
is an official State holiday.
  As we prepare to revitalize the observance of Juneteenth as the true 
day of independence for African-Americans, it is important that we 
acknowledge the historical as well as political significance of the 
celebration. We must acknowledge, for example, that while the slaves of 
Texas had cause to celebrate the news of their freedom on June 19, 
1865, the truth is that at the time of General Granger's historical 
pronouncement, the slaves were already legally free. This is because 
the Emancipation Proclamation had become effective nearly 2\1/2\ years 
earlier--on January 1, 1863.
  From a political standpoint, therefore, Juneteenth is significant 
because it exemplifies how harsh and cruel the consequences can be when 
a breakdown in communication occurs between the Government and the 
American people. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the dehumanizing and degrading 
conditions of slavery were unnecessarily prolonged for hundreds of 
thousands of black men, women, and children, because our American 
Government failed to communicate the truth.
  As Juneteenth celebrations continue to spread, so does a greater 
appreciation of African-American history. We must revive and preserve 
Juneteenth not only as the end of a painful chapter in American 
history--but also as a reminder of the importance of preserving the 
lines of communication between the powerful and powerless in our 
society.
  Juneteenth allows us to look back on the past with an increased 
awareness and heightened respect for the strength of the African-
American men, women, and children, who endured unspeakable cruelties in 
bondage. Out of respect to our ancestors, upon whose blood, sweat, and 
tears, this great Nation was built, the bill I introduce today 
acknowledges that African-Americans in this country are not truly free, 
until the last of us are free.
  The bill I introduce today, Mr. Speaker, recognizes June 19, 1865, as 
a day of celebrating the end of slavery in America and as the true day 
of independence for African-Americans in this country.
  I ask all of my colleagues to cosponsor this bill.
  
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