[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11620-11621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 584--RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF 
JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY AND EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT 
 HISOTRY SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND 
                  SOLVING THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Obama, Mr. Reid, Ms. 
Stabenow, and Mr. Brownback) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 584

       Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach frontier 
     areas of the United States, and in particular the 
     Southwestern States, for more than 2 years after President 
     Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, and 
     months after the conclusion of the Civil War;
       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 that the enslaved were free;
       Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the 
     Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as ``Juneteenth 
     Independence Day'', as the anniversary of their emancipation;
       Whereas African Americans from the Southwest continue the 
     tradition of celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as 
     inspiration and encouragement for future generations;
       Whereas, for more than 140 years, Juneteenth Independence 
     Day celebrations have been held to honor African American 
     freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for 
     all cultures;
       Whereas, although Juneteenth Independence Day is beginning 
     to be recognized as a national, and even global, event, the 
     history behind the celebration should not be forgotten; and
       Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 
     former slaves remains an example for all people of the United 
     States, regardless of background, religion, or race: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) the Senate--
       (A) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth 
     Independence Day to the Nation;
       (B) supports the continued celebration of Juneteenth 
     Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of 
     the United States to learn more about the past and to 
     understand better the experiences that have shaped the 
     Nation; and
       (C) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     Juneteenth Independence Day with appropriate ceremonies, 
     activities, and programs; and
       (2) it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (A) history should be regarded as a means for understanding 
     the past and solving the challenges of the future; and
       (B) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important 
     and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United 
     States.

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce with 
Senator Levin a resolution recognizing the historical significance of 
Juneteenth Independence. Day.
  Two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and 
months after the end of the Civil War, many African-Americans were 
still being denied the freedom that had been won. Juneteenth 
commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in 
Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended and ensure 
that the slaves were free. African-Americans who had been enslaved 
began celebrating June 19 the following year as the anniversary of 
their emancipation, the day their dreams of freedom became reality.
  As Americans, we can't afford to forget the lessons learned from 
slavery

[[Page 11621]]

and that terrible stain on our nation's history. Juneteenth reminds us 
to stay vigilant in our efforts to secure equal opportunity for all 
Americans to keep working for justice. Justice is true freedom and 
equality for all citizens, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic 
background.
  I thank Senators Obama, Reid, Stabenow, and Brownback for joining 
Senator Levin and me in recognizing historic Juneteenth Independence 
Day. I encourage my colleagues to support this important resolution.

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