[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7845-S7846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 
231 and the Senate then proceed to its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 231) recognizing the historical 
     significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expressing 
     the sense of the Senate that history should be regarded as a 
     means for understanding the past solving the challenges of 
     the future.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today is the 142nd anniversary of 
Juneteenth, a day when our Nation celebrates the complete abolition of 
slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves beginning January 
1, 1863, and brought to an end what Abraham Lincoln called ``two 
hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil.'' America's Civil War had 
ended at Appomattox, VA, in April 1865, but it was not until June 19, 
1865, 2 months later, and a full 2\1/2\ years after the Emancipation 
Proclamation that the news finally reached Galveston, TX. That day has 
become known throughout our Nation as ``Juneteenth.''
  In communities across the country, Juneteenth is an occasion for all 
Americans to reflect on a tragic period that shaped our Nation and 
continues to influence us yet today. For Marylanders, Juneteenth is a 
time to reflect upon our own history. Slavery existed in Maryland from 
the State's inception as an English colony. In 1664, slavery was 
officially sanctioned by law, and it thrived until 1864 when it was 
abolished with ratification of a new State constitution.
  In 1820, Maryland's population was approximately 400,000, less than 
one-tenth our current size. The slightly more than 100,000 slaves in 
Maryland accounted for one-quarter of Maryland's population, while the 
39,000 free Black Marylanders accounted for nearly 10 percent. By 1860, 
the State's overall population had grown considerably, while the number 
of slaves had declined to about 87,000, or 13 percent, while the number 
of slaves had free Blacks numbered about 83,000 or 12 percent.
  Although Maryland was a slave State, it did not secede from the 
Union. And the contributions of Marylanders to the Union cause and the 
abolitionist movement did much to tilt the national balance in favor of 
freedom. Antislavery activists--Black and White, free and enslaved--
took tremendous risks for the cause of freedom. Harriet Tubman, who was 
born Araminta Ross in Dorchester County, and Frederick Douglass, who 
was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County, were 
both born into slavery, put their own lives on the line as courageous 
crusaders for freedom. Having escaped their own captors, they dedicated 
their lives to fighting for the emancipation of all slaves. They are 
true American heroes.
  This year, the Maryland General Assembly passed a resolution that I 
will quote here in part:

       Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the 
     State of Maryland expresses profound regret for the role that 
     Maryland played in instituting and maintaining slavery and 
     for the discrimination that was slavery's legacy; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the State of Maryland commits itself to the 
     formation of a more perfect union among its citizens 
     regardless of color, creed, or race; and be it further
       Resolved, That the State of Maryland recommits itself to 
     the principle that all people are equal and equally endowed 
     with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
     happiness.

  Today, on the 142nd anniversary of Juneteenth, I wish to commend my 
former colleagues in the Maryland General Assembly for this resolution, 
and I urge all my colleagues in the Senate to join me in celebrating 
Juneteenth and honoring those who made that day possible.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today we celebrate Juneteenth Independence 
Day in observance of the date upon which slavery finally came to an end 
in the United States, June 19, 1865. It was on this date that slaves in 
the Southwest finally learned of the end of slavery. Although passage 
of the 13th amendment in January 1865 legally abolished slavery, many 
African Americans remained in servitude due to the slow dissemination 
of this news across

[[Page S7846]]

the country. Since that time, 143 years ago, the descendants of slaves 
have observed this anniversary of emancipation as a remembrance of one 
of the most tragic periods of our Nation's history. The suffering, 
degradation, and brutality of slavery cannot be repaired, but the 
memory can serve to ensure that no such inhumanity is ever perpetrated 
again on American soil.
  Throughout the Nation, we also celebrate the many important 
achievements of former slaves and their descendants. We do so because 
in 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson, son of former slaves, proposed such a 
recognition as a way of preserving the history of African Americans and 
recognizing the enormous contributions of a people of great strength, 
dignity, faith, and conviction--a people who rendered their 
achievements for the betterment and advancement of a Nation once 
lacking in humanity towards them. Every February, nationwide, we 
celebrate African American History Month. And, every year on June 19 we 
celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day.
  I am happy to join with my colleagues, Senators Durbin, Reid, Obama, 
Stabenow, Brownback, Kerry, Landrieu, Cardin, Lieberman, McCaskill, 
Clinton, Leahy, Kennedy, Dodd, Sanders, Menendez, Brown, Pryor, and 
Lautenberg, in commemorating Juneteenth Independence Day with the 
submission of S. Res. 231, which the Senate has just adopted, in 
recognition of the end of slavery and to never forget even the worst 
aspects of our Nation's history.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I am pleased that, S. Res. 231, a 
resolution recognizing historic Juneteenth Independence Day, has passed 
the Senate.
  June 19 is an ordinary day for many Americans, is a significant day 
for those who know its history. Juneteenth Independence Day celebrates 
June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers led by MG Gordon Granger arrived in 
Galveston, TX, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the 
enslaved were free.
  Americans across the United States continue the tradition of 
celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as inspiration and 
encouragement for future generations.
  The legislation recognizes the significance of Juneteenth 
Independence Day and supports its continued celebration as an 
opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the 
past and to understand more fully the experiences that have shaped our 
nation.
  As Americans, we must remember the lessons learned from slavery. 
Juneteenth is a day that all Americans, of all races, creeds, and 
ethnic backgrounds, can celebrate freedom and the end of slavery in the 
United States.
  I am pleased to recognize historic Juneteenth Independence Day and 
proud that the Senate has passed this important resolution.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating 
thereto be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 231) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 231

       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 celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as 
     inspiration and encouragement for future generations;
       Whereas, for more than 140 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, That--
       (1) the Senate--
       (A) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth 
     Independence Day to the Nation;
       (B) 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 
     understand better the experiences that have shaped the 
     Nation; and
       (C) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     Juneteenth Independence Day with appropriate ceremonies, 
     activities, and programs; and
       (2) it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (A) history should be regarded as a means for understanding 
     the past and solving 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.

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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