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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E799-E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF JUNETEENTH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY
______
HON. STEVE KING
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize, June
19th, 2019 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Juneteenth, or the
``19th of June'', recognizes the day, in 1865, in Galveston, Texas,
when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all
slaves in Texas.
Major General Granger's arrival in Galveston occurred more than two
years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and enforced by
President Lincoln. Upon the issuance of General Order No. 3 by Major
General Granger, the former slaves, and now free men and women
celebrated ecstatically. Currently, 46 states recognize Juneteenth as
an official state holiday.
In 2002, I proposed ``An Act relating to the designation of a
Juneteenth National Freedom Day'' in the Iowa Senate. That bill was
enacted by the Iowa General Assembly and was signed into law by then
Governor Thomas J. Vilsack. The proclamation encouraged all state
governmental entities, civil organizations, educational institutions to
``observe the day ... (the third Saturday in June) in a manner that
emphasizes the meaning and importance of the Emancipation Proclamation
that ended slavery and to recognize and celebrate the importance of
[Juneteenth] to every person who cherishes liberty and equality for all
people.'' This historic legislation was passed unanimously by the Iowa
State House and Senate, and the signature by Governor Vilsack
designated Iowa as the seventh state to recognize Juneteenth as a state
holiday.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to recognize Juneteenth
National Freedom Day and I hope we, as a Congress, continue to
recognize and to acknowledge this important piece of American history
and the advancements we have made since then.
SSB 3151
An Act relating to the designation of a Juneteenth National Freedom Day
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:
Section 1. New Section. 1C.12 Juneteenth National Freedom
Day.
The governor of this state is hereby authorized and
requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the
third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day and
to encourage all governmental entities, civic organizations,
schools, and institutions of higher education in the state to
observe the day in a manner that emphasizes the meaning and
importance of the emancipation proclamation that ended
slavery in the United States and to recognize and celebrate
the importance of this day to every person who cherishes
liberty and equality for all people.
explanation
This bill authorizes and requests the governor to issue
annually a proclamation designating the third Saturday in
June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. The proclamation is
also intended to encourage all governmental entities, civic
organizations, schools, and institutions of higher education
in the state to observe the day in a manner that emphasizes
the meaning and importance of the emancipation proclamation
that ended slavery in the United States and to recognize and
celebrate the importance of this day to every person who
cherishes liberty and equality for all people.
SF 2273
(Successor to SSB 3151)
Passed Senate, Date 2/28/02; Passed House, Date 3/21/02.
Vote: Ayes 47 Nays 0; Vote: Ayes 95 Nays 0.
Approved April 11, 2002.
An Act relating to the designation of a Juneteenth National Freedom
Day.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:
Section 1. New Section. 1C.12 Juneteenth National Freedom
Day.
The governor of this state is hereby authorized and
requested to issue annually a
[[Page E800]]
proclamation designating the third Saturday in June as
Juneteenth National Freedom Day and to encourage all
governmental entities, civic organizations, schools, and
institutions of higher education in the state to observe the
day in a manner that emphasizes the meaning and importance of
the emancipation proclamation that ended slavery in the
United States and to recognize and celebrate the importance
of this day to every person who cherishes liberty and
equality for all people.
explanation
This bill authorizes and requests the governor to issue
annually a proclamation designating the third Saturday in
June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. The proclamation is
also intended to encourage all governmental entities, civic
organizations, schools, and institutions of higher education
in the state to observe the day in a manner that emphasizes
the meaning and importance of the emancipation proclamation
that ended slavery in the United States and to recognize and
celebrate the importance of this day to every person who
cherishes liberty and equality for all people.
Mary E. Kramer,
President of the Senate.
Brent Siegrist,
Speaker of the House.
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate
and is know as Senate File 2273, Seventy-ninth General
Assembly.
Michael E. Marshall,
Secretary of the Senate.
Approved 4/11, 2002.
Thomas J. Vilsack,
Governor.
____________________