IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 25 

Recognizing June 19, 2023, as this year’s observance of the historical 

significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 11, 2023 

Ms. JACKSON LEE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Oversight and Accountability 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing June 19, 2023, as this year’s observance of 

the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 

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 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
2 

•HRES 25 IH 

‘‘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; 

Whereas, on June 18, 2020, H.R. 7232, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was introduced and reintroduced as H.R. 1320, on February 25, 2021, in the House 

of Representatives, marking the first time in Congress a 

bill had been introduced to declare Juneteenth a Federal 

holiday; 

Whereas, on June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 

signed into law the bill that established Juneteenth as a 

Federal holiday, one day before the first anniversary of 

the introduction of H.R. 7232, making it the most recent 

addition to the list of Federal holidays; 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; 

5 (B) supports the continued celebration of 

6 Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:47 Jan 11, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR25.IH HR25

pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
3 

•HRES 25 IH 

1 portunity for the people of the United States to 

2 learn more about the past and to better under3 stand 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 House of Representa10 tives that— 

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

12 an important and enriching part of the history 

13 and heritage of the United States; and 

14 (B) history should be regarded as a means 

15 for understanding the past and solving the chal16 lenges of the future. 

Æ 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB