[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H11352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE END OF SLAVERY

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Government Reform and Oversight be discharged from further 
consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 195) recognizing the 
end of slavery in the United States, and the true day of independence 
for African-Americans, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, 
and I shall not object, I rise to explain the purpose of this 
legislation.
  (Miss COLLINS of Michigan asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, let me begin my remarks by 
thanking the other side of the aisle and both parties for the 
bipartisan cooperation in bringing this bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise in support of House 
Joint Resolution 195--legislation that will 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 
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. Gen. 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.''
  House Joint Resolution 195 recognizes that the significance of 
Juneteenth is twofold. Historically, the date signifies the end of 
slavery in America. We must also recognize, however, that while the 
former slaves truly had cause to celebrate the events of June 19, 1865, 
the truth is that when the slaves of Texas received news of their 
freedom, they were already legally free. That is because the 
Emancipation Proclamation became effective nearly 2\1/2\ years 
earlier--on January 1, 1863. Thus, from a political standpoint, 
Juneteenth is significant because it symbolizes how harsh and cruel the 
consequences can be when a breakdown in communication occurs between 
government and the American people. Sadly, the degrading and 
dehumanizing effects of slavery were unnecessarily prolonged for over 
200,000 Black men, women, and children because someone failed to 
communicate the truth.
  As Juneteenth celebrations continue to spread, so does a great 
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 the 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 millions of 
African-Americans who endured unspeakable cruelties in bondage for over 
400 years. Out of respect to our ancestors, upon whose blood, sweat, 
and tears, this great Nation was built, Juneteenth Independence Day 
acknowledges that African-Americans in this country are not truly free, 
until the last of us are free.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this important and historic 
legislation.

                              {time}  1815

  Ms. COLLINS of Michigan.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 195

       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.

  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third 
time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider 
was laid on the table.

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