[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

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                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of H. Res. 1237, 
a resolution recognizing the importance of the Juneteenth anniversary 
celebrations held nationwide on June 19th. On that date 145 years ago, 
Union forces led by General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston, Texas, 
bringing news of the Confederate surrender and enforcing, after two-
and-half long years, the Emancipation Proclamation. Americans across 
the country commemorate this day with celebrations, discussions, and 
family picnics. In my own state of New Jersey, Juneteenth is celebrated 
at churches, community centers, and family gatherings across the state. 
This day marks a time for people to come together, enjoy the company of 
friends and family, and reflect on the past. It is a time of somber 
tribute to the struggles of slavery conjoined with a cheerful and 
celebratory attitude towards the future and the opportunities afforded 
by that great proclamation.
  I strongly support H. Res. 1237, which recognizes the significance of 
the Juneteenth anniversary and proclaims the sense of Congress that 
history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and 
solving the challenges of the future. I rise to honor the celebration, 
and to honor the myriad contributions that African-Americans have made 
to American society and culture in the years before and since. African-
Americans have honored this country with their service and dedication 
as inventors, teachers, artists, musicians, first responders, soldiers, 
doctors, and statesmen and countless other professions. They rose from 
the bonds of servitude and yet, facing discrimination at every step, 
have continued to persevere. The longevity of the Juneteenth 
celebration is an enduring testament to the strength of these Americans 
in the face of tremendous adversity and bears witness to the virtue of 
celebrating diversity.
  I must also rise today to recognize the obstacles that still face us. 
Juneteenth evokes reflection on a dark chapter in our Nation's history, 
and reinforces that which we already know: the struggle for equality is 
far from over. The joyous celebration of the emancipation of the slaves 
of Galveston, followed by decades of inequality under Jim Crow, serves 
to remind us all of the need to remain committed to our original 
principles and the belief in liberty and justice for all. While our 
history has at times failed to live up to these founding ideals, it is 
important that we remember our past. So that we may better ourselves 
and our country, we must bear closely the lessons of history as we 
strive for progress.
  Today, Juneteenth is the longest-running celebration of the end of 
slavery in the United States. Its durability alone illustrates its 
significance. For that reason, Madam Speaker, and for all the reasons 
above, I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 
1237.

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