[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 1999

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Juneteenth 
National Museum, located in my home district of Baltimore, Md., and in 
observance of the National Juneteenth Celebration.
  On Saturday, June 19, 1999, the Juneteenth National Museum held its 
11th annual ``Juneteenth'' celebration commemorating the Emancipation 
Proclamation. Juneteenth is generally celebrated on June 19, which is 
considered as the day of emancipation from slavery of African-Americans 
in Texas. It was this day in 1866 that Union Major General Gordon 
Granger read General Order #3 to the people of Galveston, Texas, 
informing them of their new status as free men. Since then, Juneteenth 
was celebrated in Texas, and quickly spread to other southern states, 
such as Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and eventually the rest of the 
country. In addition to a festival, the celebration included the 
purchase of lands or ``emancipation grounds'' by freed slaves in honor 
of the celebration. On January 1, 1980, under the provisions of House 
Bill No. 1016, the 66th Congress of the United States declared June 
19th ``Emancipation Day in Texas,'' making Juneteenth a legal state 
holiday.
  ``Ring the Bell of Freedom'' was the Juneteenth National Museum's 
festival theme for 1999. Juneteenth is an important event in Baltimore 
that celebrates American history and historical figures. The annual 
occurrence of Juneteenth attracts people from across the state to 
downtown Baltimore in observance of this event.
  Among the various festivities, the celebration included lectures on 
important historical figures, spoken word readings, musical 
attractions, and food venues that satisfied every taste imaginable. 
There were shopping opportunities for antique buffs, and a vast array 
of arts and crafts available for purchase. In keeping with this year's 
theme, the celebration featured an emotionally stirring re-enactment of 
a slave auction. Still, along with the painful images that accompany an 
event like a slave auction, came the sweet and pleasant visions of 
liberation and freedom. There was also a walk through a historical 
exhibit on Paul Robeson, along with a lecture from Dr. Beryl Williams, 
Dean Emeritus of Morgan State University.
  Further, the Juneteenth festival featured both a tap and step dance 
exhibition, along with a family tent with activity and game tables for 
children and adults. It concluded with a performance by the New 
Baltimore Hand Dancers at the dance pavilion. The Juneteenth Festival 
has grown to be a vitally important part of not only Baltimore, but 
African-American culture as well. True to tradition, this year's 
celebration proved to be as exciting as ever.
  I congratulate Juneteenth National Museum on a successful Juneteenth 
celebration.

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