[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 20, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H4320-H4321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JUNETEENTH
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the
World Refugee Day as we keep the flame of hope alive, showing some 20.8
million internally displaced refugees fleeing persecution who are now
looking to the world to ask for relief.
As I stand to acknowledge that day, I draw the House's attention to a
day I believe that symbolizes the hopes and dreams of many. Although
the occasion of Juneteenth happens to be a holiday that is celebrated
by African Americans, it is, in fact, the oldest nationally celebrated
commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. So I say
simply that it is symbolic of people who are in need of empowerment.
And, in fact, this celebration took place in this country, and
certainly in the State of Texas, over the last 3 days, this past
weekend. I participated with my colleagues in different States to
celebrate Juneteenth, as well as my constituents, on Saturday and
Sunday and Monday.
From its Galveston, Texas, origin in 1865, the observance of June 19
is considered the African American Emancipation Day even as it claimed
a time frame in which African Americans were actually denied the
knowledge of their freedom. Those in Texas did not hear of the
declaration that President Lincoln made until 1865.
Today Juneteenth commemorates, I believe, African American freedom
and symbolically freedom around the world. And that is why in the
beginning I stood and acknowledged this is World Refugee Day, for
refugees are looking for freedom and hope, and they belong to us, and
they are placed around the world.
This special day of Juneteenth, however, emphasizes education and
achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with
celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings.
{time} 2250
It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for
assessment, self-improvement and planning for the future. But it is a
time for reinvesting, restoring ourselves. It relates to the struggle
of freedom. It reinforces the fact that freedom is not easy and it is
not free, and as those who stood witness waiting in the State of Texas
near the Galveston Bay to find out whether they were free, there are
many who still stand waiting for that call of freedom.
The growing popularity of Juneteenth signifies a level of maturity
and dignity in America long overdue. In cities across the country,
people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to
truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and
continues to influence our society today. Sensitized the ties to the
conditions and experiences much others only then can we make
significant and lasting improvements in our society.
The civil rights movement of the fifties and sixties yielded both
positive and negative results for the Juneteenth celebrations. While it
pulled many of the African American youth away and into the struggle
for racial equality, many linked these struggles to the historical
struggles of their ancestors. They wanted to be free of the Juneteenth
celebration.
This was evidenced as students began to participate in student
demonstrations involved in the Atlanta civil rights campaign in the
early 1960s, who wore Juneteenth freedom buttons. Again, in 1968,
Juneteenth received another strong resurgence through the Poor Peoples
March to Washington, D.C. Reverend Ralph David Abernathy called for
people of all races, creeds, economic levels and professions to come to
Washington to show their support for the poor.
Juneteenth has a way of generating the kind of compassion for the
struggle and, of course, a reason for fighting for freedom.
Let me thank Representative Al Edwards, a constituent of mine and a
State representative who can be called the father of Juneteenth in the
State of Texas, establishing the first State holiday for African
Americans, Juneteenth, June 19, here in the State of Texas that we have
the opportunity to celebrate.
He has not finished his work, for he continues to promote the
Juneteenth Commission, and I am very proud that on Monday morning, we
opened and christened the first Juneteenth statute in the State of
Texas. This holiday, however, is spreading across the country as a
symbol of freedom.
Tomorrow we will have the opportunity, as we have had today, to
acknowledge the that people are still struggling for freedom by World
Refugee Day, but tomorrow this body will have the opportunity to
reauthorize the Voting Rights Act of 1965, now in 2006, now named the
Fannie Lou Hammer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights
Act.
I ask my colleagues in the name of Juneteenth and many other symbolic
holidays that establish and create freedom, that we should stand tall
for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. It should not be a
political struggle or a power struggle. It should be the right
struggle, the right thing to do.
And for those who intend to offer what we call poison pill
amendments, I would ask my colleagues to defeat them handily, because
the Voting Rights Act is a symbol of freedom for all, all colors, all
creeds, to be able to suggest that every citizen has a right to vote.
Whether they speak English or not, Mr. Speaker, they have a right to
vote, and these amendments that are being offered to undermine their
voting rights say that if you are a citizen and you speak a different
language, you cannot have the protection of the Voting Rights Act.
I ask my colleagues to join us in continuing the freedom statement of
the Juneteenth holiday and to vote for the Voting Rights Act tomorrow.
Juneteenth is alive and well.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the occasion of Juneteenth, the oldest
nationally celebrated
[[Page H4321]]
commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its
Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the
African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States
and beyond.
Today Juneteenth commemorates African-American freedom. This special
day emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in
some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics
and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is
a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.
Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in
America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all
races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully
acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to
influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and
experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting
improvements in our society.
The Civil Rights movement of the 50's and 60's yielded both positive
and negative results for the Juneteenth celebrations. While it pulled
many of the African American youth away and into the struggle for
racial equality, many linked these struggles to the historical
struggles of their ancestors. This was evidenced by student
demonstrators involved in the Atlanta civil rights campaign in the
early 1960's, whom wore Juneteenth freedom buttons. Again in 1968,
Juneteenth received another strong resurgence through Poor Peoples
March to Washington D.C.. Rev. Ralph Abernathy's call for people all
races, creeds, economic levels and professions to come to Washington to
show support for the poor. Many of these attendees returned home and
initiated Juneteenth celebrations in areas previously absent of such
activity. In fact, two of the largest Juneteenth celebrations founded
after this March are now held in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
Texas Blazes the Trail
On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday
through the efforts Rep. Al Edwards, an African American state
legislator. The successful passage of this bill marked Juneteenth as
the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.
Representative Edwards has since actively sought to spread the
observance of Juneteenth all across America.
Juneteenth In Modern Times
Throughout the 80's and 90's Juneteenth has continued to enjoy a
growing and healthy interest from communities and organizations
throughout the country. Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry
Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth-centered
activities. In recent years, a number of National Juneteenth
Organizations have arisen to take their place along side older
organizations--all with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge
and appreciation of African American history and culture.
Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom while
encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes
on a more national and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in
Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile
soil from which a national day of pride is growing. The future of
Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states come on
board and form local committees and organizations to coordinate the
activities.
With the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006
coming up on the floor tomorrow, it is important to remember that the
VRA is one of the most effective civil rights statute ever enacted, and
while its successes has generated increased political power for many at
the local, state, and federal levels, there is still much work to be
done. Critical provisions of the Act, including the language assistance
provisions contained within Section 203, are set to expire next year.
The right to vote is only meaningful when the language of the ballot
and other election materials is fully comprehensible to the voter.
Recently, a 9-foot bronze statue, created by Eddie Dixon of Lubbock,
was erected in the city of Galveston, TX. The Statue depicts a man
holding the state law that made Juneteenth a state holiday in 1979. It
was at the Ashton Villa where Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger of the U.S. Army
is believed to have read a proclamation on June 19, 1865, announcing
that slaves were free. The historic emancipation proclamation enacted
by President Abraham Lincoln went into effect Jan. 1, 1863. Monday
marked the 27th year that people have gathered to celebrate Juneteenth.
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