[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, this Sunday, June 19, is Juneteenth, a day 
we celebrate each year as a reminder that liberty and justice must 
reach all corners of our great Nation.
  On June 19, 1865, nearly 2\1/2\ years after President Lincoln's 
Emancipation Proclamation and more than 2 months after General Lee's 
surrender at Appomattox, a number of slaves in Galveston, TX, learned 
that the institution of slavery was no longer. There was no media, no 
press, no Internet, and no television at that time.
  As we celebrate Juneteenth, I hope we take a moment to reflect on 
what it represents, the celebration of liberty and freedom for all 
Americans. Sadly, 151 years later, we have much work to do to ensure 
that all citizens are treated equally, no matter their race, religion, 
national origin, or whom they love.
  We must ensure all of our citizens can assert their right to vote. 
Our Nation continues to struggle to make the ballot box more accessible 
for those who continue to be disfranchised in a number of areas, 
including ex-felons. They have done their time. Let them be a part of 
society. We want them to come back and be citizens and a part of the 
network of our great communities. Let them vote.
  Here in our Nation's capital, Washington, DC, more than 600,000 
residents in the District of Columbia--that is how many live here--
continue to face taxation without representation. I have been here a 
long time, and I have always supported Statehood for DC. Why not?
  As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, I hope that all Americans will 
look at the example Lincoln set when he sent troops to Galveston, TX, 
which is, no matter who you are or where you may be, this Nation is a 
land of liberty and justice for all.
  Let the record reflect, I understand protocol here, and I was told 
that Senator McConnell may be a little bit late. So I was told to go 
forward.

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