[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 98 (Monday, June 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6592-H6593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
      RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 155) recognizing the 
historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing 
the sense of Congress that history should be regarded as a means for 
understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of 
the future.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 155

       Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach frontier 
     areas of the United States, and in particular the 
     Southwestern States, for more than 2 years after President 
     Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, and 
     months after the conclusion of the Civil War;
       Whereas on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major 
     General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news 
     that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free;
       Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the 
     Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as Juneteenth 
     Independence Day, as the anniversary of their emancipation;
       Whereas African Americans from the Southwest continue the 
     tradition of Juneteenth Independence Day as inspiration and 
     encouragement for future generations;
       Whereas for more than 135 years, Juneteenth Independence 
     Day celebrations have been held to honor African American 
     freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for 
     all cultures;
       Whereas although Juneteenth Independence Day is beginning 
     to be recognized as a national, and even global, event, the 
     history behind the celebration should not be forgotten; and
       Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 
     former slaves remains an example for all people of the United 
     States, regardless of background, religion, or race: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That--
       (1) Congress recognizes the historical significance of 
     Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation;
       (2) Congress supports the continued celebration of 
     Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the 
     people of the United States to learn more about the past and 
     to better understand the experiences that have shaped the 
     Nation;
       (3) the President is urged to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe Juneteenth 
     Independence Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
     programs; and
       (4) it is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) history should be regarded as a means for understanding 
     the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the 
     future; and
       (B) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important 
     and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United 
     States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Sali) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. Davis of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 142nd anniversary of Juneteenth 
Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, MG Gordon Granger and Union 
soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news of the Emancipation 
Proclamation and the end of the Civil War. News of President Abraham 
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, did not reach 
the frontier areas of the United States, especially the Southwest, for 
almost 2\1/2\ years. General Granger's General Order No. 3 on June 19, 
1865, is recognized as the day that all slaves in the United States 
were finally freed.
  Juneteenth has become recognized as a State, regional, and national 
event that honors the freeing of slaves in the United States. As 
Americans, we must never forget how precious freedom is. Juneteenth is 
the day that all Americans of all races, creeds and ethnic backgrounds 
can celebrate freedom and the end of slavery in the United States. Its 
historical significance should be regarded as a means of understanding 
the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future.
  As the sponsor of H. Con. Res. 155, I encourage all of my colleagues 
to support this legislation and urge President Bush to issue a 
proclamation observing Juneteenth Independence Day with appropriate 
ceremonies, activities and programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to imagine a time when national news 
took months and sometimes years to disseminate throughout the country. 
Today we get immediate news updates through various outlets. But it was 
over 2 years after President Lincoln gave the historical Emancipation 
Proclamation that the slaves of Galveston, Texas, learned that their 
long-deserved freedom had been won. It was on that date, June 19, 1865, 
when Union soldiers made their way southwest to spread the joyful news 
of their Civil War victory.
  Every year on June 19, commonly known as Juneteenth Independence Day, 
African Americans in the Southwest and around the Nation celebrate 
their emancipation, their culture and the historic significance of the 
civil rights struggles. It is critical that we educate our children not 
only of American history and the Civil War, but the tradition of 
Juneteenth Independence Day. By taking time to celebrate these 
anniversaries, we honor the richness, diversity and heritage of all 
races that form our great Nation.
  June 19th is a time to acknowledge a period of history that helped 
shape our Nation and continues to influence our society today. It is 
with great honor that I support the passage of House Concurrent 
Resolution 155.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Idaho for his remarks and comments and for his support of this 
resolution. I also would just note that I attended a Juneteenth 
celebration in the neighborhood where I live on Saturday, and,

[[Page H6593]]

of course, they had speeches, poems, readings and historical 
proclamations that people did.
  To make sure that all Members of the House and of the Senate have an 
opportunity to participate in an observance, Senator Barack Obama and I 
are sponsoring an observance on tomorrow in the Gold Room in the House 
Office Building, and certainly would welcome all to attend.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this concurrent resolution.
  Mr. MOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for 
H. Con. Res. 155, ``Recognizing the Historical Significance of 
Juneteenth Independence Day.''
  As someone who has spent more than a quarter of a century serving the 
people of Maryland's Fifth Congressional District in the House of 
Representatives, I have developed a profound appreciation for the hard 
work that goes into creating the laws of our land. However, it is not 
the passage of legislation or signing ceremonies with the President 
that I will remember most when my time here is done. Rather, it is 
seeing the way that our work positively impacts the lives of those we 
serve out in the real world.
  This is why Juneteenth Independence Day holds such special 
significance for me. Because Juneteenth isn't a celebration of the 
Emancipation Proclamation itself, it is a commemoration of the day that 
Abraham Lincoln's historic decree finally accomplished what it was 
designed to do--abolish slavery in the United States forever.
  When the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, it 
ended slavery in the Union states, but did nothing to outlaw the cruel 
and barbaric practice in the states loyal to the Confederacy. It wasn't 
until 2\1/2\ years later--when Major General Gordon Granger landed at 
Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over, the United 
States was whole once again, and that all slaves in every part of our 
nation were now free--that the spirit of abolition was finally 
fulfilled.
  That day was June 19, 1865--and today, we mark the 142nd anniversary 
of the moment that freedom, equality and the unabated pursuit of 
happiness were extended to all citizens of the United States, 
regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.
  It gives me great pride to join my colleagues in Congress--as well as 
Americans from all walks of life--in commemorating our country's oldest 
celebration of the abolishment of slavery, and in honoring all of the 
achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout our 
nation's history.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Con. Res. 155, 
legislation commemorating a monumental day in the history of liberty, 
Juneteenth Independence Day. Juneteenth marks the events of June 19, 
1865, when slaves in Galveston, TX, learned that they were at last free 
men and women. The slaves of Galveston were the last group of slaves to 
learn of the end of slavery. Thus, Juneteenth represents the end of 
slavery in America.
  I hope all Americans will take the time to commemorate Juneteenth. 
Friends of human liberty should celebrate the end of slavery in any 
country. The end of American slavery is particularly worthy of 
recognition since there are few more blatant violations of America's 
founding principles, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, 
than slavery. I am particularly pleased to join the recognition of 
Juneteenth because I have the privilege of representing Galveston.
  I thank the gentleman from Illinois for introducing this resolution, 
which I am proud to cosponsor. I thank the House leadership for 
bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge all of my colleagues 
to honor the end of slavery by voting for H. Con. Res. 155.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 155.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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