[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5703-S5704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. Res.
584 and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 584) 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 and solving the challenges
of the future.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, this week we commemorate the 143rd
anniversary of Juneteenth, the day our Nation's moral pendulum swung
from slavery to freedom.
On June 19, 1865, our Nation turned a significant corner. We ushered
in what President Lincoln called in his Gettysburg address a ``new
birth of freedom.'' We ended an oppression endured by generations of
Americans and threw off the chains that shackled our common bond of
freedom. We laid the roots for a constitutional revolution that,
through the Civil War Amendments, transformed our founding charter from
one that defended oppression, to one that embraced equal rights and
human dignity.
Over a century later we have made significant progress, but the
struggle to secure basic rights for all remains unfulfilled. Just a few
months ago, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination found that racial disparities continue to
challenge our commitment to equality. I was not surprised to see that
the U.N. report rebuked this administration's poor civil rights record.
After 9/11, the Bush administration eroded many of the most precious
rights and liberties held by all Americans. Just last week, the Supreme
Court in the Boumediene opinion, beat back one of these most egregious
attempts, restoring the Great Writ of habeas corpus to its rightful
place as a mechanism to guarantee liberty from arbitrary confinement.
But this administration has also played politics with critical voting
laws, and failed to protect our most vulnerable citizens. The Bush
administration's poor civil rights record has damaged America's
prestige around the world, and undermined our tradition of progress on
civil rights.
Vermont is a State that holds a unique place in America's march
toward equal justice. It was the first to outlaw slavery. Vermonters
offered shelter to runaway slaves seeking refuge while in transit to
Canada. Indeed, in just the tiny town of Brandon, 17 homes were
stations on the Underground Railroad. I am proud that this month
Vermont joined the States recognizing Juneteenth as a State holiday. It
is important for our children and grandchildren to know our history,
and to know that ordinary people can make a difference.
As we reflect on the sacrifices of past generations, their example
should inspire us all in our present day struggle to secure human and
civil rights. We must reaffirm our faith in our cherished freedoms and
restore our commitment to protect basic rights. I hope all Americans
will celebrate Juneteenth by working towards building the more perfect
union we want for generations to come.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any
statements related to the resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 584) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 584
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;
[[Page S5704]]
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.
____________________