Recognizing June 19, 2023, as this year's observance of the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 25 Recognizing June 19, 2023, as this year’s observance of the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 11, 2023 Ms. JACKSON LEE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability RESOLUTION Recognizing June 19, 2023, as this year’s observance of the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach frontier areas of the United States, and in particular the South- western States, for more than 21⁄2 years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued on 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 19th, commonly known as VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:47 Jan 11, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR25.IH HR25 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 25 IH ‘‘Juneteenth Independence Day’’, as the anniversary of their emancipation; Whereas African Americans from the Southwest continue the tradition of celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; Whereas for more than 150 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African-Amer- ican freedom while encouraging self-development and re- spect for all cultures; Whereas, on June 18, 2020, H.R. 7232, the Juneteenth Na- tional Independence Day Act was introduced and reintro- duced as H.R. 1320, on February 25, 2021, in the House of Representatives, marking the first time in Congress a bill had been introduced to declare Juneteenth a Federal holiday; Whereas, on June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., signed into law the bill that established Juneteenth as a Federal holiday, one day before the first anniversary of the introduction of H.R. 7232, making it the most recent addition to the list of Federal holidays; and Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves remains an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That— 1 (1) the House of Representatives— 2 (A) recognizes the historical significance of 3 Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; 4 (B) supports the continued celebration of 5 Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an op- 6 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:47 Jan 11, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR25.IH HR25 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 25 IH portunity for the people of the United States to 1 learn more about the past and to better under- 2 stand the experiences that have shaped the Na- 3 tion; and 4 (C) encourages the people of the United 5 States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 6 with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro- 7 grams; and 8 (2) it is the sense of the House of Representa- 9 tives that— 10 (A) the celebration of the end of slavery is 11 an important and enriching part of the history 12 and heritage of the United States; and 13 (B) history should be regarded as a means 14 for understanding the past and solving the chal- 15 lenges of the future. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:47 Jan 11, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR25.IH HR25 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB