III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 584 

Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and 

expressing the sense of the Senate that history should be regarded 

as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of 

the future. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 5, 2008 

Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. REID, Ms. STABENOW, 

Mr. BROWNBACK, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BROWN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SCHUMER, 

Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. LIEBERMAN, and Mrs. LINCOLN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

JUNE 17, 2008 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expressing the sense of the Senate 

that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future. 

Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach frontier 

areas of the United States, and in particular the Southwestern States, for more than 2 years after President 

Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 

1863, and months after the conclusion of the Civil War; 


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SRES 584 ATS 

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 that the 

enslaved were free; 

Whereas African-Americans who had been slaves in the 

Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as 

‘‘Juneteenth Independence Day’’, as the anniversary of 

their emancipation; 

Whereas African-Americans from the Southwest continue the 

tradition of celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as 

inspiration and encouragement for future generations; 

Whereas, for more than 140 years, Juneteenth Independence 

Day celebrations have been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures; 

Whereas, although Juneteenth Independence Day is beginning to be recognized as a national, and even global, 

event, the history behind the celebration should not be 

forgotten; and 

Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 

former slaves remains an example for all people of the 

United States, regardless of background, religion, or 

race: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) the Senate— 

3 (A) recognizes the historical significance of 

4 Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; 

5 (B) supports the continued celebration of 

6 Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:40 Jun 18, 2008 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR584.ATS SR584

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SRES 584 ATS 

1 portunity for the people of the United States to 

2 learn more about the past and to understand 

3 better the experiences that have shaped the Na4 tion; and 

5 (C) encourages the people of the United 

6 States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 

7 with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro8 grams; and 

9 (2) it is the sense of the Senate that— 

10 (A) history should be regarded as a means 

11 for understanding the past and solving the chal12 lenges of the future; and 

13 (B) the celebration of the end of slavery is 

14 an important and enriching part of the history 

15 and heritage of the United States. 

Æ 


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