III 

112TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 211 

Observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 16, 2011 

Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mrs. HUTCHISON, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. 

CARDIN, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. HARKIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. 

UDALL of Colorado, Mr. BEGICH, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. 

BROWN of Ohio, Mr. AKAKA, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. WICKER, Mr. PRYOR, 

Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. WARNER, Mr. BENNET, Mrs. BOXER, 

Mr. KERRY, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. CASEY, Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mrs. MURRAY, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. SCHUMER, 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. SANDERS, 

Mr. COONS, and Mr. WHITEHOUSE) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

JUNE 20 (legislative day, JUNE 16), 2011 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Observing 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; 


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SRES 211 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 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 145 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 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 op7 portunity for the people of the United States to 

8 learn more about the past and to better under9 stand the experiences that have shaped the Na10 tion; and 


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SRES 211 ATS 

1 (C) encourages the people of the United 

2 States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 

3 with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro4 grams; and 

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

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

7 an important and enriching part of the history 

8 and heritage of the United States; and 

9 (B) history should be regarded as a means 

10 for understanding the past and solving the chal11 lenges of the future. 

Æ 


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