IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 309 

Recognizing June 19, 2015, as this year’s observance of the historical 

significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 11, 2015 

Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS

of Illinois, Mr. CLAWSON of Florida, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. RUSH, Mr. DAVID

SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. 

FUDGE, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. 

LEWIS, Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. VEASEY, Mr. 

JEFFRIES, Mr. HOYER, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. 

COHEN, Mr. WELCH, Mr. GUTIE ́RREZ, Mr. JONES, Mr. BOUSTANY, Mr. 

RIGELL, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. 

NEAL, Mr. DOGGETT, Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. HAHN, Mr. ELLISON, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Ms. ADAMS, Mrs. BUSTOS, Ms. 

BROWNLEY of California, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. 

SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. EDWARDS, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. NADLER, Ms. MOORE, 

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Mr. DESAULNIER, Ms. MAXINE WATERS of 

California, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. WALZ, Mr. KENNEDY, 

Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. CUELLAR, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Ms. BROWN of Florida, 

Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. 

SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, 

Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. POCAN, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. VARGAS, Mr. VELA, Mr. 

GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. O’ROURKE, Mr. HONDA, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. 

GALLEGO, Ms. DELAURO, and Mr. AL GREEN of Texas) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 

and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing June 19, 2015, as this year’s observance of 

the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 


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•HRES 309 IH 

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 21⁄2 years after President 

Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued 

on January 1, 1863, and months after the conclusion of 

the Civil War; 

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 19th, 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 150 years, Juneteenth Independence 

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

3 (A) recognizes the historical significance of 

4 Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; 


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•HRES 309 IH 

1 (B) supports the continued celebration of 

2 Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an op3 portunity for the people of the United States to 

4 learn more about the past and to better under5 stand the experiences that have shaped the Na6 tion; and 

7 (C) encourages the people of the United 

8 States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 

9 with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro10 grams; and 

11 (2) it is the sense of the House of Representa12 tives that— 

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

14 an important and enriching part of the history 

15 and heritage of the United States; and 

16 (B) history should be regarded as a means 

17 for understanding the past and solving the chal18 lenges of the future. 

Æ 


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