[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 98 (Monday, June 20, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMEMORATING JUNETEENTH 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on June 19, 1865, General Gordon 
Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and announced the freedom of the 
last American slaves; belatedly freeing 250,000 slaves in Texas nearly 
two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation 
Proclamation.
  Juneteenth was first celebrated in the Texas state capital in 1867 
under the direction of the Freedmen's Bureau.
  Today, Juneteenth remains the oldest known celebration of slavery's 
demise. It commemorates freedom while acknowledging the sacrifices and 
contributions made by courageous African Americans towards making our 
great nation the more conscious and accepting country that it has 
become.
  This year, I introduced H. Res. 787, a resolution commemorating 
Juneteenth Independence Day, which is co-sponsored by 57 of my 
colleagues.
  In introducing this Resolution, I acknowledge Texas State 
Representative Al Edwards and all Houstonians who honor Juneteenth as 
well or all who celebrate this freedom day.
  Because it was only after that day in 1865 when General Granger rode 
into Galveston, Texas, on the heels of the most devastating conflict in 
our country's history, in the aftermath of a civil war that pitted 
brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor and threatened to 
tear the fabric of our union apart forever that America truly became 
the land of the free and the home of the brave.
  Not until 1980, a year after my friend, State Representative Al 
Edwards, introduced a bill in the Texas Legislature did Juneteenth 
become a Texas state holiday.
  Civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ``Freedom is 
never free,'' and African American labor leader A. Phillip Randolph 
often said ``Freedom is never given. It is won.''
  We should all recognize the power and the ironic truth of those 
statements and we should pause to remember the enormous price paid by 
all Americans in our country's quest to realize its promise.
  Juneteenth honors the end of the 400 years of suffering African 
Americans endured under slavery and celebrates the legacy of 
perseverance that has become the hallmark of the African American 
experience in the struggle for equality.
  Throughout the 1980's and 90's Juneteenth has continued to enjoy a 
growing and healthy interest from communities and organizations 
throughout the country.
  Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and 
others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth-centered activities.
  In recent years, a number of National Juneteenth Organizations have 
arisen to take their place alongside older organizations--all with the 
mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African 
American history and culture.
  Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom while 
encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.
  As it takes on a more national and even global perspective, the 
events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie 
back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is 
growing.
  The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and 
states come on board and form local committees and organizations to 
coordinate the activities.

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