[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 103 (Thursday, June 16, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5638-H5639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HAPPY JUNETEENTH, AMERICA

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, this morning I introduced the 2022 
Observance of Juneteenth Independence

[[Page H5639]]

Day Resolution. I thank my cosponsors and those who recognize this 
important Federal holiday.
  H. Res. 1182 is to celebrate Juneteenth, but I was pleased to be the 
first Member of Congress, after years of introducing resolutions, to 
introduce the actual language of the Federal holiday signed by 
President Biden on June 17, 2021.
  What is Juneteenth? It is a recognition of one of America's original 
sins, the slaves that were held over 200 years, and the brutality that 
they experienced but the freedom they experienced on June 19, 1865.
  We can come together as a Nation to celebrate freedom in many, many 
ways. I am delighted that over the weekend in Houston and Galveston, we 
will be lifting up our voices of celebration, but we know that there 
are next steps.
  As I have been introducing the resolution on Juneteenth, I also 
commend my colleagues to move forward on H.R. 40, the Commission to 
Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. 
Again, what are reparations? It is healing, it is restoration, it is 
repair. We look forward to responding to the indicia in African-
American communities that should be fixed. Happy Juneteenth, America. 
Let's celebrate together.

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