[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 102 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH 2017

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                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2017

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Juneteenth. On June 
19 (Juneteenth), 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston 
Island and issued General Order Number 3 which read, ``the people of 
Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the 
Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.'' With this action 
the last American slaves, nearly 250,000 Texans, were freed two and a 
half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation 
Proclamation.
  Early Juneteenth celebrations were political rallies to teach freed 
African Americans about their freedoms, including voting rights. Over 
the years Juneteenth is celebrated at a wide variety of public events, 
prayer services, ceremonies, family gatherings, parades, barbecues, 
rodeos, and sporting events. Modern Juneteenth celebrations encourage 
self-development and respect for all cultures.
  Today, Juneteenth remains the oldest known celebration of the end of 
slavery. In 1979 Governor William ``Bill'' Clements, Jr. signed 
legislation declaring Juneteenth as a state holiday. By 2016 forty-five 
of the fifty states in the Union have followed suit recognizing 
Juneteenth as either a state holiday, ceremonial day, or day of 
observance.
   Mr. Speaker I rise, with my fellow Texans, to celebrate Juneteenth 
in the United States House of Representatives.

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