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IV
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 505
Recognizing June 19, 2023, as this year’s observance of the historical
significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 13, 2023
Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Ms. NORTON, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr.
MFUME, Mr. IVEY, Mr. HORSFORD, Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia, Mr.
BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr.
JEFFRIES, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. COHEN, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. MENG, Mr.
MEEKS, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. DELAURO,
Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. FROST, Mrs. MCBATH, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Ms.
CLARKE of New York, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. WEBER of
Texas, Mr. MCCAUL, and Ms. SPANBERGER) submitted the following res-
olution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Account-
ability
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,
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•HRES 505 IH
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
‘‘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, 2022, 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—
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(1) the House of Representatives—
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•HRES 505 IH
(A) recognizes the historical significance of
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Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation;
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(B) supports the continued celebration of
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Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an op-
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portunity for the people of the United States to
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learn more about the past and to better under-
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stand the experiences that have shaped the Na-
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tion; and
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(C) encourages the people of the United
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States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day
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with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro-
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grams; and
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(2) it is the sense of the House of Representa-
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tives that—
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(A) the celebration of the end of slavery is
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an important and enriching part of the history
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and heritage of the United States; and
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(B) history should be regarded as a means
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for understanding the past and solving the chal-
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lenges of the future.
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Æ
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