[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4410-S4411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today is the culmination of several days of 
activities across the Nation in recognition of the oldest known 
observance of the ending of slavery--``Juneteenth Independence Day''.
  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 2\1/2\ years after 
President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which was 
issued on January 1, 1863, and months after the conclusion of the Civil 
War.
  This week and specifically on June 19, when slaves in the Southwest 
finally learned of the end of slavery, 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.
  I was very pleased that on June 19 of this week the Senate 
unanimously adopted a resolution, S. Res. 496, recognizing the 
historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation. 
The resolution, which I sponsored along with Senators Hutchison, 
Cardin, Landrieu, Cornyn, Sherrod Brown, Boxer, Stabenow, Harkin, 
Begich, Durbin, Wicker, Leahy, Bill Nelson, Casey, Warner, Akaka, Webb, 
Lautenberg, Gillibrand, and Schumer expresses support for the 
observance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and recognizes the faith and 
strength of character demonstrated by former slaves, that remains an 
example for all people of the United States, regardless of background 
or race.
  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, Jr., writer, scholar, lecturer, and acclaimed 
Executive Editor for several decades at Ebony Magazine, 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

[[Page S4411]]

     between trips to the mine shafts. He then went on to the 
     University of Chicago, where he received his 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 has 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's 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 was 
also pleased to be a part of the effort to direct the Architect of the 
Capitol to commission a statue of Rosa Parks, which will soon 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 start 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. In addition, the overwhelming majority 
of my colleagues in the Senate joined me in sponsoring legislation 
authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal to be presented to Dr. King, 
posthumously, and Coretta Scott King in recognition of their 
contributions to the Nation. Companion legislation was led in the House 
by Representative John Lewis.
  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 
of civil rights and human rights.
  Mr. President, I was also pleased to join Senator Hutchison and other 
Members of the Senate this week, in sponsoring another measure 
introduced on June 19th in recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day, 
which will require further action in the Senate. It is a Joint 
Resolution, S.J. Res. 45, requesting the President to issue a 
proclamation each year designating Juneteenth Independence Day as a 
National Day of Observance, encouraging Americans of all races, creeds, 
and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate freedom and the end of slavery in 
the United States.
  In closing, I would like to commend the Juneteenth directors and 
event coordinators throughout my State of Michigan. They have worked 
tirelessly in the planning of intergenerational activities in 
observance of Juneteenth, heading up a wide range of activities over 
several days in Detroit, Flint, Holland, Lansing, Saginaw, and other 
areas around the State.

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