IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 505 

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

significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 13, 2023 

Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Ms. NORTON, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. 

MFUME, Mr. IVEY, Mr. HORSFORD, Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia, Mr. 

BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. 

JEFFRIES, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. COHEN, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. MENG, Mr. 

MEEKS, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. DELAURO, 

Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. FROST, Mrs. MCBATH, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Ms. 

CLARKE of New York, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. WEBER of 

Texas, Mr. MCCAUL, and Ms. SPANBERGER) 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, 


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•HRES 505 IH 

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; 

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, 2022, 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— 


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•HRES 505 IH 

1 (A) recognizes the historical significance of 

2 Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; 

3 (B) supports the continued celebration of 

4 Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an op5 portunity for the people of the United States to 

6 learn more about the past and to better under7 stand the experiences that have shaped the Na8 tion; and 

9 (C) encourages the people of the United 

10 States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 

11 with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro12 grams; and 

13 (2) it is the sense of the House of Representa14 tives that— 

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

16 an important and enriching part of the history 

17 and heritage of the United States; and 

18 (B) history should be regarded as a means 

19 for understanding the past and solving the chal20 lenges of the future. 

Æ 


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