III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 263 

Commemorating June 19, 2023, as ‘‘Juneteenth National Independence Day’’ 

in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end 

of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 21, 2023 

Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. WICKER, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. 

COLLINS, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. RUBIO, 

Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. CRAMER, Mrs. BRITT, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. WARNOCK, Mrs. MURRAY, 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. KELLY, Mr. CARPER, Mr. PADILLA, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. KAINE, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. CASEY, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. 

MERKLEY, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. WARNER, 

Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. HICKENLOOPER, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. KING, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Ms. SMITH, Mr. FETTERMAN, Mr. BENNET, Mr. BROWN, Mr. 

BLUMENTHAL, Mr. WELCH, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, Mr. COONS, and Mr. 

HOEVEN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating June 19, 2023, as ‘‘Juneteenth National 

Independence Day’’ in recognition of June 19, 1865, 

the date on which news of the end of slavery reached 

the slaves in the Southwestern States. 

Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier 

areas of the United States, in particular the State of 

Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months 

after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 21⁄2


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
2 

•SRES 263 ATS 

years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; 

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 the enslaved 

were free; 

Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the 

Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as 

‘‘Juneteenth National Independence Day’’, as inspiration 

and encouragement for future generations; 

Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued the tradition of observing Juneteenth National Independence Day for more than 150 years; 

Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day began as a 

holiday in the State of Texas and is now a Federal holiday and celebrated by Americans from many walks of life 

as a special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the United States; 

Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations 

have been held to honor African-American freedom while 

encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures; 

Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 

former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race; 

Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the 

United States in December 1865; and 

Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States has 

grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around 

the world: Now, therefore, be it 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
3 

•SRES 263 ATS 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) commemorates June 19, 2023, as 

3 ‘‘Juneteenth National Independence Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes the historical significance of 

5 Juneteenth National Independence Day to the 

6 United States; 

7 (3) supports the continued nationwide celebra8 tion of Juneteenth National Independence Day to 

9 provide an opportunity for the people of the United 

10 States to learn more about the past and to better 

11 understand the experiences that have shaped the 

12 United States; and 

13 (4) recognizes that the observance of the end of 

14 slavery is part of the history and heritage of the 

15 United States. 

Æ 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB