[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING EMANCIPATION DAY IN FLORIDA

  (Mr. LAWSON of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LAWSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
Emancipation Proclamation in Florida.
  On May 20, 1865, 11 days after the end of the Civil War and 2 years 
after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union 
General Edward M. McCook arrived in Tallahassee and read President 
Lincoln's words from the steps of the Knott House.
  I was there yesterday for a ceremony. It is very significant.
  Slavery is one of the dark sides of American history, but it is a 
part that we can never forget. It is important that it will be forever 
recorded in the history books.
  Today, while African Americans are free, basic humans rights are 
still denied to many of them at this time. If all men are equal, then 
we must maintain our commitment to treat them equally. We must continue 
to move our country forward if we truly wish to be ``one Nation, under 
God.''
  There are major jobs that we need to create, our children need to be 
more protected, their families need to be fed. The time is now to help 
build a more perfect Union for all of us.

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