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III
116TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. RES. 253
Designating June 19, 2019, as ‘‘Juneteenth Independence Day’’ in recognition
of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end of slavery reached
the slaves in the Southwestern States.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JUNE 19, 2019
Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. WICKER, Ms. ROSEN, Mrs.
BLACKBURN, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. BURR, Mr.
CASSIDY, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. CRAMER, Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr.
HAWLEY, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. LEE, Ms. MCSALLY, Mr.
MORAN, Mr. PAUL, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. RISCH, Mr. RUBIO,
Mr. SCOTT
of South Carolina, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. YOUNG, Mr.
BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BROWN, Mr. CARPER, Mr. COONS, Ms. CORTEZ
MASTO, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. HARRIS,
Ms. HIRONO, Mr. JONES, Mr. KAINE, Mr. KING, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr.
MARKEY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MURPHY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. PETERS,
Ms. SMITH, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WARNER, Ms. WAR-
REN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. CRUZ, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr.
BOOKER, and Mr. REED) submitted the following resolution; which was
considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Designating June 19, 2019, as ‘‘Juneteenth Independence
Day’’ in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which
news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the
Southwestern States.
Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier
areas of the United States, in particular the State of
Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months
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•SRES 253 ATS
after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 21⁄2
years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Eman-
cipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863;
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 the enslaved
were free;
Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the
Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as
‘‘Juneteenth Independence Day’’, as inspiration and en-
couragement for future generations;
Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have contin-
ued the tradition of observing Juneteenth Independence
Day for more than 150 years;
Whereas Juneteenth Independence Day began as a holiday in
the State of Texas and is now celebrated in 45 States
and the District of Columbia as a special day of observ-
ance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in
the United States;
Whereas Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have
been held to honor African-American freedom while en-
couraging self-development and respect for all cultures;
Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by
former slaves and the descendants of former slaves re-
main an example for all people of the United States, re-
gardless of background, religion, or race;
Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the ratifica-
tion of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States in December 1865; and
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•SRES 253 ATS
Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States has
grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around
the world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
1
(1) designates June 19, 2019, as ‘‘Juneteenth
2
Independence Day’’;
3
(2) recognizes the historical significance of
4
Juneteenth Independence Day to the United States;
5
(3) supports the continued nationwide celebra-
6
tion of Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an
7
opportunity for the people of the United States to
8
learn more about the past and to better understand
9
the experiences that have shaped the United States;
10
and
11
(4) recognizes that the observance of the end of
12
slavery is part of the history and heritage of the
13
United States.
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Æ
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