[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H5440-H5441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1237) recognizing the historical significance 
of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House 
of Representatives 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 resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1237

       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, That--
       (1) the House of Representatives recognizes the historical 
     significance of Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation;
       (2) the House of Representatives 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; and
       (3) it is the sense of the House of Representatives 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 New 
York (Mr. Higgins) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
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 New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HIGGINS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I present for consideration H.R. 1237, which 
recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, 
and expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that history 
should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more 
effectively facing the challenges of the future.
  H.R. 1237 was introduced on June 4, 2008, and has over 70 Members of 
Congress who also support Juneteenth, or what many call Freedom Day or 
Emancipation Day. The measure was considered and reported from the 
Oversight Committee on June 12, 2008, by voice vote, which brings us to 
today's floor consideration of the measure.
  Most of us are aware, Madam Speaker, Juneteenth commemorates the day 
Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Federal troops arrived at the 
Galveston Island, Texas to take possession of the State and enforce the 
emancipation of its slaves 2\1/2\ years after the enactment of the 
Emancipation Proclamation.
  On June 19, 1865 General Granger read the following Order Number 3: 
``The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with the 
proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are 
free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights 
of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection 
heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and 
hired laborer. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their 
present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not 
be allowed to collect at military posts, and that they will not be 
supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.''
  In receipt of this message, African Americans who had been slaves in 
the Southwest celebrated June 19 as the anniversary of their 
emancipation, and continued the tradition to inspire and encourage 
future generations.

                              {time}  1700

  For more than 135 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations 
have been held to honor not only the freedom of African Americans but 
also to encourage self-development and respect for all cultures.
  Juneteenth has been recognized as either a State holiday or 
observance in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, Idaho, Alaska, Iowa, 
California, Wyoming, Missouri, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, New 
Jersey, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan, New 
Mexico, Virginia, Washington, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and North 
Carolina, as well as the District of Columbia.
  The faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves 
remains an example for all Americans, regardless of background, 
religion, or race.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that we, too, show our support for Juneteenth 
Independence Day by agreeing to adopt H.R. 1237 without reservation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I, too, rise in support of this resolution.
  Certainly history is replete with examples like this where well-
intended, strong statements are made and then as much as 2 years passes 
before the event becomes complete. Juneteenth is no exception to that.
  More than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, it took 2,000 
Federal soldiers marching into Galveston Island in order to free slaves 
from servitude. So as we look at what we need to do here in Congress 
today, let us not be dissuaded from doing what is right because it may 
take time. Let us not be dissuaded from making sure that America has 
its freedom and independence assured by our own independence in all 
areas, including natural resources.
  I certainly think more than 100 years after the Civil War, we can 
celebrate the successes of the Civil War; but we also have an 
obligation to deal with problems that might take 4 or 5 years of 
domestic exploration and domestic investment in oil and natural gas in 
order to bear fruit. But I would ask today that we resolve to begin 
that process because certainly, as we look at President Abraham Lincoln 
who knew that the Emancipation Proclamation would not immediately free 
slaves but, in fact, would make a strong statement that we were 
resolved to do so.
  I would hope today as we pass this important piece of legislation, we 
would resolve to make sure that America is independent and free in the 
years to come.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Ms. Jackson-Lee) for as much time as she may consume.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
New

[[Page H5441]]

York, and I thank the original author of this legislation, the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Davis), and I thank the distinguished 
Speaker for her leadership as well, and my colleagues.
  Congressman Higgins, this is Juneteenth Week for those of us who come 
from the States in which we honor this very special holiday. And so it 
is very special to stand today to acknowledge how important, how moving 
a time this is, particularly in the State of Texas where Major Granger 
landed in Galveston 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, which 
means that the slaves that were held in the State of Texas were held 2 
years longer than any slaves in the United States in the region in 
which slavery was the law. I would like to acknowledge Rep. Al Edwards 
who is the Father of the Juneteenth Holiday in Texas.
  So we hold this as a sacred time, a time of jubilee and celebration, 
but also of pain and anguish for knowing that we were held in bondage 
in the State of Texas for a period of time longer than the time that 
was declared by the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
  I'm delighted to be one of the original cosponsors to acknowledge 
what this day really means. And as we celebrate it throughout the week 
in Texas, this past weekend I celebrated with the Acres Home Community 
and their Juneteenth celebration and the Zydeco music and the fun that 
seniors and children alike would have in fellowship and understanding 
our history.
  And many people don't recognize that it is as important a date as 
might be days that we commemorate Black History Month, special days 
such as the acknowledgment and the celebration of the birthday of Dr. 
Martin Luther King, or the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Civil 
Rights bill or the March on Washington or the tragic assassination of 
Dr. King, and this happens to be the 40th year.
  It is a time when we renew ourselves in having a respect for freedom. 
And Major Granger, who came and acknowledged, gave way to decades and 
years of celebration.
  He also gave way to something called Freedom Watch on New Year's Eve. 
Many people believe that is a celebration for the new year. But in old 
years or years back, black churches used to watch on New Year's Eve 
calling it Freedom Watch to be able to celebrate freedom; and it was 
the idea of knowing that on January 1, 1863, the slaves would be free.
  This is a time to acknowledge that our history should be remembered, 
that we should teach it to our children, that we should take this 
history to ourselves, if we will, embed it in our hearts and our souls, 
and make sure that as we embed it, that we live what this history 
stands for. It stands for determination, tenacity, strength, character, 
integrity.
  And we must fight against all of these things that enslave us now, 
and that is, of course, drugs and crime and poverty. And I hope that 
this Congress, in passing this legislation, will renew our commitment 
to ridding this Nation of drugs and the devastation of how it destroys 
families and that we will commit ourselves to building housing, we will 
commit ourselves to educating our children, we will commit ourselves to 
building our families, we will commit ourselves to peace, because 
that's what an emancipation means: Emancipating yourselves from things 
that were wrong, that were ill.
  The Emancipation Proclamation rid this Nation of slavery. Its 
dastardly effects still continue even today as it separates races and 
religions, but we have a commitment as the United States Congress to 
use this floor today to be able to stand against what was a horrific 
time in the history of America where we held slaves, we debased them, 
and we rejected humanity and human rights and dignity; but now we must 
come and respect through this resolution.
  So I thank the Congressman for his leadership on managing this bill. 
I particularly pay tribute to my colleague and friend, Congressman 
Danny Davis, and to all of my constituents in the State of Texas who 
will now celebrate this day with a gospel celebration on Saturday, a 
parade on Saturday, and many, many family reunions around the idea of 
being emancipated.
  Let us live freedom. Let us stand for freedom by building this Nation 
free of the ills of drugs and poor housing and poverty and war, and 
that will truly be a commemoration of Juneteenth because Juneteenth is 
a freedom, and it is emancipation.
  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Res. 1237, 
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, Texas 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. 
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. Res 1237.
  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Resolution 1237, which recognizes the historic significance of 
Juneteenth Independence Day and encourages its continued celebration so 
all Americans can learn more about our country's past.
  The resolution also rightly expresses the sense of Congress that 
knowing our history helps us solve challenges we face in the future, 
and that the celebration of the end of slavery is an important part of 
the history and heritage of the United States.
  Madam Speaker, Juneteenth has long been recognized as the day to 
celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is the 
traditional celebration of the day on which the last slaves in America 
learned they had been freed.
  Although slavery was abolished officially in 1863, it took over 2 
years for news of freedom to spread to slaves. On June 19th, 1865, U.S. 
General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and announced that 
the State's 200,000 slaves were free. Vowing never to forget the date, 
the former slaves coined the nickname Juneteenth, a blend of the words 
June and 19th. This holiday originated in the Southwest, but today it 
is celebrated throughout the Nation.
  H. Res. 1237 underscores that the observance of Juneteenth 
Independence Day is an opportunity for all Americans to learn more 
about our common past and to better understand the experiences that 
have shaped our great Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this 
important resolution.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I urge passage, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1237.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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