[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H4535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1400
           COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNETEENTH

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest celebration honoring the end of 
slavery in Texas and in the U.S.
  In Texas, the observance of June 19 as Emancipation Day for Blacks 
has spread across the United States and beyond as a symbol of freedom 
and opportunity that reflects how far we have come as a nation.
  Mr. Speaker, as Texas commemorates Juneteenth, I want to take just a 
little time here to acknowledge a few of the public celebrations that 
will take place in the congressional district that I represent.
  In Grand Prairie, in the very proud Dalworth community at Tyre Park, 
they are going to celebrate the holiday with a fish fry and live music 
on Juneteenth. Also, in the city of Fort Worth, there will be a 
Juneteenth parade and celebration, and there will be a gathering at the 
Fort Worth Water Gardens in downtown Fort Worth.
  I also want to acknowledge my good friend, Opal Lee, who has worked 
very hard to bring so much recognition of Juneteenth around the city of 
Fort Worth, the State, and the Nation as well.
  As we mark 150 years celebrating Juneteenth, let us commemorate a new 
era of achievements in the Black community giving us all a chance to 
reflect on our roots and an opportunity to educate the next generation 
about such a historic day.

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