[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H4155-H4156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING A HISTORIC FIRST-TIME CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH IN THE 
                                 BLUFF

  (Mr. WESTERMAN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a historic 
first-time celebration in the Fourth District of Arkansas. This year, 
the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff hosted its first-ever 
Juneteenth in the Bluff celebration. This event served to celebrate 
freedom and triumph by highlighting the region's rich arts and cultural 
legacy through live music, art exhibitions, and food.
  Juneteenth itself commemorates the last enslaved African Americans in 
Galveston, Texas, learning of their freedom on June 19, 1865, marking 
the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is a celebration of 
liberty and a call to action, reminding us that the fights for our God-
given rights and the basic tenets of freedom are ongoing.
  On June 19, the city of Pine Bluff honored their resilience and the 
countless contributions of Black Americans throughout our history. 
Along with this, they were also able to celebrate the faculty, 
students, and staff at UAPB who have impacted and shaped the arts in 
not just Arkansas, but also nationwide.

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  As we reflect on our past, let us commit to building a future where 
justice prevails and every American enjoys the full promise of freedom.

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