[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 95 (Monday, June 15, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S4140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 201--DESIGNATING JUNE 19, 2015, AS ``JUNETEENTH 
 INDEPENDENCE DAY'' IN RECOGNITION OF JUNE 19, 1865, THE DATE ON WHICH 
          SLAVERY LEGALLY CAME TO AN END IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Booker, Mrs. 
Boxer, Mr. Brown, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Casey, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
Cruz, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Franken, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. 
Hirono, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lee, Mr. 
Markey, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Nelson, Mr. Paul, Mr. Peters, Mr. Portman, Mr. Reid, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
Schumer, Mr. Scott, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Warner, Ms. Warren, 
Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wicker) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 201

       Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the 
     frontier areas of the United States, in particular the State 
     of Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months 
     after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2 \1/2\ 
     years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation 
     Proclamation on January 1, 1863;
       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 inspiration and encouragement for 
     future generations;
       Whereas African-Americans from the Southwest have continued 
     the tradition of observing ``Juneteenth Independence Day'' 
     for 150 years;
       Whereas 43 States, the District of Columbia, and other 
     countries have designated ``Juneteenth Independence Day'' as 
     a special day of observance in recognition of the 
     emancipation of all slaves in the United States;
       Whereas ``Juneteenth Independence Day'' celebrations have 
     been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging 
     self-development and respect for all cultures;
       Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 
     former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an 
     example for all people of the United States, regardless of 
     background, religion, or race;
       Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the 
     ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States in December 1865;
       Whereas Frederick Douglass, born in the State of Maryland 
     in 1818, escaped from slavery and became a leading writer, 
     orator, publisher, and one of the most influential advocates 
     in the United States for abolitionism and the equality of all 
     people;
       Whereas Frederick Douglass was recognized for his 
     accomplishments with a statue that was unveiled during a 
     ceremony on June 19, 2013, in Emancipation Hall in the United 
     States Capitol;
       Whereas 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of 
     the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.), 
     signed into law on August 6, 1965, a milestone in providing 
     equal protections for African-Americans, including former 
     slaves and the descendants of former slaves; and
       Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States 
     has grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around the 
     world: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 19, 2015, as ``Juneteenth Independence 
     Day'';
       (2) recognizes the historical significance of ``Juneteenth 
     Independence Day'' to the United States;
       (3) supports the continued nationwide celebration of 
     ``Juneteenth Independence Day'' to provide an opportunity for 
     the people of the United States to learn more about the past 
     and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the 
     United States; and
       (4) recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is 
     part of the history and heritage of the United States.

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