[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     JUNETEENTH DAY--ACKNOWLEDGMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the historical 
importance of June 19. This is the day that signifies the initial 
abolishment of slavery in the United States.
  As you are aware, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation 
Proclamation on September 22, 1862 to declare freedom of all slaves in 
the territories of the Confederate States of America by January 1, 
1863. Despite the proclamation being issued in September of 1862, most 
people did not know about it because the infrastructure of 
communication at that time was no where near as sophisticated as it is 
today and slave owners undoubtedly did not want their slaves to know 
about their freedom. On June 19, 1865, troops descended on Galveston 
Island in Texas to impose the proclamation. Since then, June 19th has 
been celebrated and recognized as the day slaves were freed. The name 
Juneteenth is a compilation of portions of the word June and the 19th 
day of the month. June 19th is an official holiday in Texas and is 
recognized in some States including New York as an official holiday.
  It is extremely important that we not forget the institution of 
slavery. It represents a very dark part of our history in the United 
States. The cost and sacrifices of people who were enslaved are 
immeasurable. For those who lived long enough to be set free, their 
strength is awesomely inspiring to me and nothing short of a miracle. 
When I reflect on slavery and the suffering endured, I am humbled and 
feel grateful for the steadfastness, courage, and faith of my 
ancestors. I would not be where I am today, if it were not for them.
  On this day, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to remember the 
injustice of slavery and celebrate the abolishment of it. So much 
progress has been made in our great country towards the rights the 
forefathers and other great leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. 
envisioned for all Americans. We shall continue to advance civil and 
human rights, embrace diversity, and treat each other with dignity and 
respect.

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