[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 263 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 263

  Commemorating June 19, 2023, as ``Juneteenth National Independence 
 Day'' in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the 
     end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 21, 2023

 Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. 
 Collins, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
   Johnson, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Cramer, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
  Durbin, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Warnock, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
 Kelly, Mr. Carper, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Cardin, 
 Mr. Casey, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Booker, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
  Sanders, Mr. Warner, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Wyden, Mr. 
 King, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Smith, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Brown, 
Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Welch, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Hoeven) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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                               RESOLUTION


 
  Commemorating June 19, 2023, as ``Juneteenth National Independence 
 Day'' in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the 
     end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.

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 
        the enslaved were free;
Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 
        19, commonly known as ``Juneteenth National Independence Day'', as 
        inspiration and encouragement for future generations;
Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued the tradition of 
        observing Juneteenth National Independence Day for more than 150 years;
Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of 
        Texas and is now a Federal holiday and celebrated by Americans from many 
        walks of life as a special day of observance in recognition of the 
        emancipation of all slaves in the United States;
Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations have been 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 
        the descendants of former slaves 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 the course of 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) commemorates June 19, 2023, as ``Juneteenth National 
        Independence Day'';
            (2) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth 
        National Independence Day to the United States;
            (3) supports the continued nationwide celebration of 
        Juneteenth National Independence Day to provide an opportunity 
        for the people of the United States to learn more about the 
        past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped 
        the United States; and
            (4) recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is 
        part of the history and heritage of the United States.
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