[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5046-S5047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OBSERVING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 559, submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant editor of the Daily Digest read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 559) observing the historical
significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, on a hot day in the summer of 1776,
delegates from across the American Colonies gathered in Philadelphia to
cast off the yoke of tyranny and assert the fundamental right of self-
government.
At that moment, when our Republic was born, our Founders ratified a
document unique in human history which contained the landmark words:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal.
This simple creed became the justification of a great Revolutionary
War, which gave rise to the thriving democracy we inhabit today. That
is why we celebrate every Fourth of July as Independence Day--because
of the principles laid out in that remarkable Declaration.
But, tragically, for almost a century after that document was
ratified, the equality of all men remained an unfulfilled promise. It
began to seem that the Declaration of Independence defined our
aspirations rather than our core beliefs.
Slavery, brutal and unjust, remained legal throughout the majority of
the 19th century and helped set the stage for the bloodiest war we have
ever known. But, as President Lincoln had dearly hoped, out of that
terrible violence was born a new and more complete freedom--a freedom
that wiped out the scourge of slavery once and for all and realized the
promise our Founding Fathers documented for all Americans.
That is why, on Saturday, many in this country observe another
independence day known as Juneteenth. Slavery ended in the Confederate
States of America when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation
Proclamation on January 1, 1863. But many slaves did not learn of their
freedom until much later.
Finally, on June 19, 1865--more than 2 years after the Emancipation
Proclamation--Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger
arrived in Galveston, TX. They brought news that must have been almost
unbelievable to all who heard it. The Civil War was over, they
announced, and all slaves were free.
From that day on, former slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19
as the anniversary of their emancipation. That is why I have submitted
this resolution observing the historical significance of this date--
Juneteenth Independence Day.
Over the past 145 years, Juneteenth celebrations have been held to
honor African-American freedom. But this date has come to hold even
greater significance. Throughout the world, Juneteenth celebrations
lift the spirit of freedom and rail against the forces of oppression.
At long last, this day is beginning to be recognized as both a national
event and a global celebration.
But just as the Fourth of July marks the beginning of a journey that
continues even today, we must not forget that the long march to freedom
that started on June 19, 1865, is far from over.
Our country has made great strides in the century and a half since
slavery was abolished, but deep wounds are slow to heal. We will never
be able to rewrite this terrible history. But we can, and we must, do
everything we can to rise above it--to seek constructive solutions to
the problems that time alone cannot wash away, problems that still
affect the African-American community on a daily basis, from
discrimination, to crime, to health care disparities, to unemployment,
to substance abuse, and so on.
So let's pay tribute to the suffering of our forefathers by seeking
justice for our children. Let's remember our past by looking to our
future and confronting these problems with bold, new solutions.
This is a day for all of us to stand together and lift up the
liberties we hold so dear--a day to look forward, to look ahead to
tomorrow, and continue the fight for freedom and equality.
So I ask my colleagues to stand with me. I ask them to support my
resolution observing the historical significance of Juneteenth
Independence Day. I invite them to share the joy of those who greeted
Union soldiers in Galveston more than 140 years ago.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I rise to highlight the
celebration of Juneteenth throughout my State of Colorado.
One hundred forty-five years ago, Black slaves in Galveston, TX,
heard the contents of ``General Order No. 3,'' which proclaimed their
freedom from slavery. Though the announcement in Galveston in 1865 came
over 2 years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, for
the first time, Black slaves learned of their freedom from a shameful
policy of early America that threatened the wellbeing of the entire
Union. June 19, 1865, was a joyous day for these men, women and
children and has since become a day of reflection and celebration as
the day when Lincoln's words in the Emancipation Proclamation were
finally realized. As African Americans migrated west and out of Texas,
they carried with them the memories and message they had heard on that
great day in June.
Communities in Colorado come together every year to continue a
tradition that highlights a notable turning point in our country's
history; a point at which our country's hard fought efforts to empower
a segment of America's population materialized. Today, just as before,
this community has continued to make powerful and positive
contributions to our common quality of life. That is why it is no
surprise to me that this tradition carries on. In Colorado, citizens of
various backgrounds gather in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver and in
the backyards of communities across our State to celebrate Juneteenth.
I am particularly proud to mention that in Pueblo, CO, they are
celebrating the 30th anniversary of their first official Juneteenth
celebration with the theme ``Growing the Community.'' And just as in
Colorado Springs, Denver and other places across the State, it is an
event that shares this history and time of reflection with the entire
community.
To all my fellow Coloradans who will gather this June 19 to celebrate
an important event in America's history, I wish you a safe and joyous
occasion. And I am proud that you continue to instill a sense of
history and community that provides rich cultural and historical
knowledge of our country's fight to ensure freedom for all.
Mr. DURBIN. 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 any statements related to the resolution be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 559) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 559
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
[[Page S5047]]
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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