[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.
____________________