[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JUNETEENTH AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY

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                         HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2022

  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the upcoming 
Juneteenth National Holiday, a day in which we celebrate the freedom of 
African Americans.
  On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation 
Proclamation, proclaiming freedom for more than 3.5 million enslaved 
African Americans. On June 19, 1865, more than two years later, 
enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, received the notice from U.S. 
General Gordon Granger that stated, ``The people of Texas are informed 
that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the 
United States, all slaves are free.'' In 1866, black Americans 
celebrated the first of many annual celebrations of Juneteenth on June 
19. Beginning with a proclamation in 1938 and legislation in 1979, 
Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. 
More than half of the United States have, in recent years, recognized 
Juneteenth in some capacity, including Georgia. I have been a part of 
this celebration for the past several years, speaking at local 
ceremonies; and I appreciate the history of this commemoration.
  I further believe it is important to celebrate freedom and liberty at 
every opportunity, which is why I supported S. 475, Juneteenth National 
Independence Day Act, when it came up for a vote in Congress in 2021. 
This national holiday is a celebration of freedom, and should be 
recognized by all Americans; as well as a day where we remember the 
moral stain that slavery had on our country. On behalf of the 11th 
Congressional District, and the United States House of Representatives, 
I join others throughout America in recognizing the freedom and 
individual liberty that Juneteenth represents.

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