[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2190-S2191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 263--COMMEMORATING JUNE 19, 2023, AS ``JUNETEENTH 
 NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY'' IN RECOGNITION OF JUNE 19, 1865, THE DATE 
     ON WHICH NEWS OF THE END OF SLAVERY REACHED THE SLAVES IN THE 
                          SOUTHWESTERN STATES

  Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. 
Collins, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
Johnson, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Cramer, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
Durbin, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Warnock, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
Kelly, Mr. Carper, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Kaine, Mr.

[[Page S2191]]

Cardin, Mr. Casey, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Booker, Mr. Van 
Hollen, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Warner, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. 
Wyden, Mr. King, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Smith, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Bennet, 
Mr. Brown, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Welch, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Coons, and 
Mr. Hoeven) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 263

       Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the 
     frontier areas of the United States, in particular the State 
     of Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months 
     after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2\1/2\ years 
     after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation 
     Proclamation on January 1, 1863;
       Whereas, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major 
     General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with 
     news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free;
       Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the 
     Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as ``Juneteenth 
     National Independence Day'', as inspiration and encouragement 
     for future generations;
       Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued 
     the tradition of observing Juneteenth National Independence 
     Day for more than 150 years;
       Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day began as a 
     holiday in the State of Texas and is now a Federal holiday 
     and celebrated by Americans from many walks of life as a 
     special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation 
     of all slaves in the United States;
       Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations 
     have been held to honor African-American freedom while 
     encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures;
       Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 
     former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an 
     example for all people of the United States, regardless of 
     background, religion, or race;
       Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the 
     ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States in December 1865; and
       Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States 
     has grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around the 
     world: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates June 19, 2023, as ``Juneteenth National 
     Independence Day'';
       (2) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth 
     National Independence Day to the United States;
       (3) supports the continued nationwide celebration of 
     Juneteenth National Independence Day to provide an 
     opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more 
     about the past and to better understand the experiences that 
     have shaped the United States; and
       (4) recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is 
     part of the history and heritage of the United States.

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