Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 546 which recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future.

On June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African- Americans were free, ``Juneteenth Independence Day'' was born. On this historic day, legend has it, while standing on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of ``General Order No. 3'':

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a

proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all

slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of

personal rights and rights of property between former masters

and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between

them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The

freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes

and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be

allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not

be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

In that moment, Galveston streets were filled with jubilant celebrations and the following year, the commemoration of June 19th or Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas. The newly freed African- Americans pulled what few resources they had to purchase land in their communities to have these gatherings. Houston's Emancipation Park, Mexia's Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin are the present day result of these efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I can image how the words of President Lincoln resonated in their hearts and souls; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all equal citizens was no longer a dream, they were a reality. Hundreds of thousands of American citizens were released from the grips of bondage; we are freed men and women. However, while it is a celebration of our emancipation, it is also a reminder of the progress we have yet to make.

The Emancipation Proclamation Abraham Lincoln issued on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, had minimal initial effect in some States. Let this be a reminder, that words are meaningless without action. We must be steadfast and willing to do our parts as citizens to uphold and carry out

the will of the people and the laws of our great Nation. The United States has made great strides of improvement and we continue to press forward to obtain those values in which we hold dear.

Juneteenth became an official State holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African-American State legislator from Texas in 1980. The successful passage of this bill marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation celebration granted official State recognition. As of March 2010, 36 States have followed suit in the celebrations and the adoption of this historic day. In my district, we actively celebrate this holiday through, reenactments, of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation at Ashton Villa and various parades and musical events all across Houston.

Juneteenth is a day to reflect upon the African-American experience and it includes all races, ethnicities and nationalities. It is a symbolical reference point of our progress and the contributions we have made to make this country what it is today. Juneteenth is a time to reconnect with loved ones and have a renewed sense of community.

In conclusion, I am reminded of what President Obama stated 2 years ago pertaining to Juneteenth and the continued pursuit of the values embedded in this day:

We pause to remember that our nation has made tremendous

progress, but has many miles to go on the long march toward

finally fulfilling the ideals of this country. When too many

Americans go without affordable healthcare or a quality

education; when neighborhoods unravel due to a housing market

in crisis; when special interests hold their thumbs on the

scale of opportunity; we have more work to do.

Juneteenth is a day for celebration of freedom and family,

but also a day that calls us all to rededicate ourselves to

the convictions at the heart of our American experiment. It

reminds us that with the work of each successive generation,

we come closer to the realization of that more perfect union.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of ``Juneteenth,'' the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the

ending of slavery in the United States. Originally a celebration of the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas in 1865, the holiday has come to symbolize our Nation's most significant moment of moral and social progress: the end of the Civil War, the abolition of slavery throughout the full United States, and the freedom of enslaved African Americans after hundreds of years of untold oppression and hardship endured.

The observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865, and is now celebrated around the United States. This day was chosen because it was on June 19, 1865 that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and informed the enslaved population that they had been set free under President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation a full two and one half years earlier. The day was largely celebrated within African-American communities until the Civil Rights Movement, when Reverend Ralph Abernathy called for people of all races, economic strata, and professions to come to Washington, D.C. to show support for the impoverished and oppressed at the Poor Peoples March on June 19, 1968. Many of the participants returned home and initiated Juneteenth celebrations in their own communities.

Every year, the celebration of Juneteenth grows in popularity across the United States. It is a day when we recognize and remember the evils of slavery, the suffering it caused, and the lives it took. But it is also a day that celebrates African American freedom and achievement with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. Participants of all races, nationalities and religions celebrate and take the time to reflect on the past and rejoice in the present and future. Finally, it is an opportunity to emphasize the need for continued efforts to promote educational, economic, political, and social equality throughout our country.

Mr. Speaker, in the wonderfully diverse 37th District, we share as a community a legacy of overcoming difficulties, working to defeat our obstacles, and empowering ourselves to improve our lives and our neighborhoods. I am proud that, this year, in the 37th district, the cities of Carson, Compton, and Long Beach, as well as the neighborhoods of Watts and Willowbrook, all held Juneteenth celebrations. I was fortunate enough to attend the celebration in Compton and can say that it was at once a solemn remembrance of those who struggled against slavery and oppression, an inspiring celebration of freedom, and an opportunity to revisit the past in order to improve our collective future.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to recognize this day and take a moment to honor the women and men that dedicated their lives to ending slavery and promoting freedom and equality in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 546) recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 546, a resolution that recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future. I am delighted that we can bring this measure to the floor today.

I introduced H. Res. 546 on June 15, 2009, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ordered it to be reported by unanimous consent on June 17, 2010. It comes to the floor with over 60 cosponsors. I am pleased to join with them in recognizing this important day.

Juneteenth, or the 19th of June, recognizes June 19, 1865, when, in Galveston, Texas, Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest.

This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War. This event occurred more than 2\1/ 2\ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon reading of General Order No. 3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second independence day celebration and the oldest African American holiday observance.

Since that time over 145 years ago, the descendants of slaves have observed this anniversary of emancipation as a remembrance of one of the most tragic periods in our Nation's history. The suffering, degradation, and brutality of slavery cannot be repaired; but the memory can serve to ensure that no such inhumanity is ever perpetrated again on American soil.

Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. This celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States. I, therefore, ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this measure.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H. Res. 546 recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenge of the future. I would like to applaud my colleague Representative Davis for his persistence in celebrating this momentous occasion in U.S. history.

When Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law in 1863, he freed the slaves in the confederate states. Though they were free on paper many slaves continued with their lives unaware of their freedom. Such was the case in Galveston, Texas. For two years the black population of this city lived their lives as slaves, as opposed to other southern states like Georgia and North Carolina in which the black population knew of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 19th, the situation changed when Union General Gordon Granger announced the news of their freedom to the black citizens of Galveston. Seen as one of the last bastions of slavery, General Granger's announcement brought about the end of slavery in Texas.

We often praise this country for the great freedom that it affords its citizens, yet Juneteenth serves as a consistent and glaring reminder of our darker past. While it is true that significant strides have been made since then, it is important that we not forget from whence we come and learn from it. I'm proud to represent the state of Georgia in the United States House of Representatives, but I also recognize that the great state I serve did allow the oppression of blacks as slaves. History is a tool to be used for growth--a means through which we can understand and face the challenges of tomorrow.

Today Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is now recognized as a state holiday in 36 states and primarily serves to remind, inspire, and encourage future generations. Mr. Speaker, I stand proudly to support this resolution and would urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H. Res. 546, recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. It is important to once again remember a day when the wants and needs of the people brought our country out of one of the darkest stages of its history. It is through recognition of such an incredible achievement that we are able to pave the way for many more like it.

On June 19, 1865, 2,000 Federal soldiers marched into Galveston and notified the slaves of Texas that their lives of servitude were over. Amazingly, this action took place more than 2 years after President Lincoln's famous Emancipation Proclamation speech was delivered.

Over 100 years later, Juneteenth serves as a time when we can celebrate the true end to slavery in the United States. June 19, commonly known as Juneteenth, also reminds us that it is our duty to constantly work to better our country. On this day, we celebrate culture and, more importantly, emancipation. It is important that our children learn along with our families about the times surrounding the Civil War, but also of this monumental achievement that followed that June day in Galveston.

By taking time to celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day, we honor the richness, diversity, and heritage of all races in our Nation. I ask all my fellow Members to join me in support of H. Res. 546.

I yield back the balance of my time.