Austin News

June 18, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), who led the successful effort to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution with 43 of his Senate colleagues recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day.

"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 after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2\1/2\ years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation 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 enslaved African Americans were free;

Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as “Juneteenth Independence Day”, as inspiration and encouragement for future generations;

Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued 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 all 50 States and the District of Columbia as a special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the United States;

Whereas Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations are held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures;

Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves and their descendants remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race;

Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in December 1865; and

Whereas over 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) designates June 19, 2024 as “Juneteenth Independence Day”;

(2) recognizes Juneteenth Independence Day's historical significance to the United States;

(3) supports nationwide celebration to provide an opportunity for people to learn about past experiences shaping America; and

(4) recognizes that observing slavery's end is part of U.S. history and heritage."

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angus King (I-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Hoeven(R-ND ), Todd Young(R-IN ), Benjamin Cardin(D-M D ), Mark Kelly(D-AZ ), Tammy Duckworth(D-I L ), Tammy Baldwin(D-W I ), Bill Hagerty(R-T N ), Christopher Murphy(D-C T ), Dick Durbin(D-I L ), Laphonza Butler(D-C A ), Bob Casey(D-P A ), Gary Peters(D-M I ), Ron Wyden(D-O R ) ,and Tim Scott(R-SC ) joined this resolution.

Senator Cornyn has introduced a resolution honoring Juneteenth annually since 2011. His legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday was signed into law in 2021. He also co-authored a bill with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee(TX -18 )for a federal study on establishing a National Emancipation Trail from Galveston to Houston following freed slaves' path spreading news on June19 ,1865 . This bill was signed into law in2020 .