[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 93 (Friday, June 19, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6856-S6857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OBSERVING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to S. 
Res. 198.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 198), observing the historical 
     significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this week people all across the Nation are 
engaging in the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. It 
was in June of 1865, that the Union soldiers landed in Galveston, TX, 
with the news that the war had ended and that slavery finally had come 
to an end in the United States. This was 21\1/2\ years after the 
Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official January 1, 1863. 
This week and specifically on June 19, we celebrate what is known as 
``Juneteenth Independence Day.'' It was on this date, June 19, that 
slaves in the Southwest finally learned of the end of slavery. Although 
passage of the thirteenth amendment in January 1863, legally abolished 
slavery, many African Americans remained in servitude due to the 
delayed dissemination of this news across the country.
  Since that time, over 145 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.
  All across America 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.''
  Lerone Bennett, editor, writer and lecturer has reflected on the life 
and times of Dr. Woodson. Bennett tells us that one of the most 
inspiring and instructive stories in African American history is the 
story of Woodson's struggle and rise from the coal mines of West 
Virginia to the summit of academic achievement:

       At 17, the young man who was called by history to reveal 
     Black history was an untutored coal miner. At 19, after 
     teaching himself the fundamentals of English and arithmetic, 
     he entered high school and mastered the four-year curriculum 
     in less than two years. At 22, after two-thirds of a year at 
     Berea College [in Kentucky], he returned to the coal mines 
     and studied Latin and Greek between trips to the mine shafts. 
     He then went on to the University of Chicago, where he 
     received bachelor's and master's degrees, and Harvard 
     University, where he became the second Black to receive a 
     doctorate in history. The rest is history--Black history.

  In keeping with the spirit and the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, I 
would like to pay tribute to two courageous women, claimed by my home 
State of Michigan, who played significant roles in addressing American 
injustice and inequality. These are two women of different times who 
would change the course of history.
  The contributions of Sojourner Truth, who helped lead our country out 
of the dark days of slavery, and Rosa Parks whose dignified leadership 
sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the start of the civil rights 
movement are indelibly etched in the chronicle of the history of this 
nation. Moreover, they are viewed with distinction and admiration 
throughout the world.
  Sojourner Truth, though unable to read or write, was considered one 
of the most eloquent and noted spokespersons of her day on the 
inhumanity and immorality of slavery. She was a leader in the 
abolitionist movement, and a ground breaking speaker on behalf of 
equality for women. Michigan recently honored her with the dedication 
of the Sojourner Truth Memorial Monument, which was unveiled in Battle 
Creek, MI, on September 25, 1999. In April 2009, Sojourner Truth became 
the first African American woman to be memorialized with a bust in the 
U.S. Capitol. The ceremony to unveil Truth's likeness was appropriately 
held in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. I was pleased 
to cosponsor the legislation to make this fitting tribute possible. 
Sojourner Truth lived in Washington, DC for several years, helping 
slaves who had fled from the South and appearing at women's suffrage 
gatherings. She returned to Battle Creek in 1875, and remained there 
until her death in 1883. Sojourner Truth spoke from her heart about the 
most troubling issues of her time. A testament to Truth's convictions 
is that her words continue to speak to us today.
  On May 4, 1999, legislation was enacted which authorized the 
President of the United States to award the Congressional Gold Medal to 
Rosa Parks. I was pleased to coauthor this tribute to Rosa Parks--the 
gentle warrior who decided that she would no longer tolerate the 
humiliation and demoralization of racial segregation on a bus. I

[[Page S6857]]

was also pleased to coauthor legislation directing the Architect of the 
Capitol to commission a statue of Rosa Parks, which will be placed in 
the U.S. Capitol, making her the second African American woman to 
receive such an honor.
  Her personal bravery and self-sacrifice are remembered with reverence 
and respect by us all. Over 55 years ago, in Montgomery, AL, the modern 
civil rights movement began when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat 
and move to the back of the bus. The strength and spirit of this 
courageous woman captured the consciousness of not only the American 
people, but the entire world. The boycott which Rosa Parks began was 
the beginning of an American revolution that elevated the status of 
African Americans nationwide and introduced to the world a young leader 
who would one day have a national holiday declared in his honor, the 
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Mr. President, we have come a long way toward achieving justice and 
equality for all. We still however have work to do. In the names of 
Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr., and many others, let us rededicate ourselves to continuing 
the struggle and the struggle for human rights.
  In closing, I would like to pay tribute to the Juneteenth directors 
and event coordinators throughout my State of Michigan. They have 
worked tirelessly in the planning of intergenerational activities in 
celebration of Juneteenth. Ms. Marilyn Plumber is heading up three 
events in Lansing, MI, this week and coordinators in Flint, Detroit, 
Saginaw, and other areas around the State are observing Juneteenth 
through a wide range of programs over several days.
  Mr. REID. 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, that there be no intervening action or debate, and 
any statements related to this resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 198) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 198

       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\1/2\ years after 
     President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which was 
     issued on 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) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important 
     and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United 
     States; and
       (B) history should be regarded as a means for understanding 
     the past and solving the challenges of the future.

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