Juneteenth National Independence Day Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I applaud the United States Senate for unanimously passing legislation to nationally recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of General Gordon Granger arriving in Galveston, Texas, and delivering the news of emancipation to enslaved Texans on June 19, 1865.

More than two years after President Lincoln's January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and more than two months after the end of the civil war, the enslaved in Texas finally received word of their freedom from General Granger, who was backed by 2,000 Union soldiers.

These newly freed persons--the last to receive the news of their emancipation in the Confederate states--started a grassroots celebration in Texas known as `Jubilee Day' to commemorate the life- altering event. Jubilee celebrations spread throughout the South and eventually to the rest of the country and taking on the moniker `Juneteenth,' a portmanteau meaning June 19th.

Although official recognition of this day has been slow to come, work by individuals such as the late Al Edwards--former state representative and the father of the Juneteenth holiday in Texas--has led to all but three states recognizing Juneteenth with annual celebratory events.

Now, what began as a grassroots movement to commemorate Texas history is set to become our nation's next federal holiday.

In honor of the Honorable Al Edwards and every person ever enslaved, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to vote for this legislation on the House floor, and I thank Senator Edward Markey as well as my colleague and friend Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for introducing this legislation to ensure Juneteenth is nationally recognized.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source