Juneteenth National Independence Day Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, as a Texan, this is obviously a very important day for me, and I am going to tell you what Juneteenth symbolizes for me.

Juneteenth symbolizes 100 years of oppression that we faced after June 19, 1865, after General Granger made his announcement in Galveston, Texas.

It symbolizes Barbara Jordan coming to the United States House of Representatives, the first Black woman from the south, 100 years after June 19, 1865.

It symbolizes three teenagers who died, handcuffed by law enforcement, in a boat in Mexia, Texas, at a Juneteenth gathering after they were arrested for celebrating this day with their family in 1981; over 100 years after June 19, 1865.

It symbolizes Opal Lee, from Fort Worth, Texas, long known as the mother of Juneteenth in Fort Worth, and now known nationally for her endeavors to help make today possible.

Someone mentioned the George Floyd Policing Bill earlier. And I want to tell you, Madam Speaker, things aren't perfect. That police officer who handcuffed those teenagers and put them in that boat, he just retired a couple of years ago from law enforcement. George Floyd fixes that.

So while we celebrate what is about to become, with the Juneteenth holiday today, we know that we have a long way to go. But hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, June 19, 1865, finally being enshrined in our national heritage.

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