[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.
____________________