[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11494]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   RECOGNIZING HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my support for H. Con. 
Res. 163, entitled ``Recognizing the historical significance of 
Juneteenth Independence Day and expressing the sense of Congress that 
history be regarded as a means of understanding the past and solving 
the challenges of the future'' introduced by Mr. Watts of Oklahoma and 
Mr. Davis of Illinois.
  For two and a half years, Texas slaves were held in bondage after the 
Emancipation Proclamation became official. Only after Major General 
Gordon Granger and his soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 
1865, were African-American slaves set free. Juneteenth celebrates this 
triumphant occasion, when Major General Granger read the Emancipation 
Proclamation and began to enforce President Abraham Lincoln's executive 
order.
  We must never forget how precious our freedom is to all Americans; 
the thousands of men and women who died fighting for our freedom; or 
the struggles of past generations as they demanded a true equality, 
regardless of their race, sex, or religion.
  I can think of no better way to move forward than to celebrate the 
defeat of slavery. Juneteenth Independence Day is a celebration where 
all Americans, of all races, can join together to celebrate our 
independence and our freedom.
  Just this past weekend, Richmond, Virginia, celebrated ``Juneteenth, 
an Emancipation Celebration.'' Festivities took place at the Manchester 
Dock, which served as a port of entry for Africans being brought into 
America to be sold as slaves. Later in the evening, individuals walked 
along the same trail marched by slaves from Manchester Dock. I would 
like to thank the City of Richmond Slave Trail Commission, Senator 
Henry Marsh's Unity Day Committee, and the Elegba Folklore Society for 
hosting ``Juneteenth, an Emancipation Celebration.''
  Madam Speaker, I hope you join me in reflecting upon the struggles of 
our African-American brothers and sisters and celebrate with me and 
Americans all across the United States the Emancipation Proclamation. 
Madam Speaker, please support H. Con. Res. 163. Thank you.

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