IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 386 

Recognizing June 19, 2017, as this year’s observance of the historical 

significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 15, 2017 

Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. 

VEASEY, Ms. NORTON, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. MOORE, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. GUTIE ́RREZ, Mr. COHEN, 

Mr. KILDEE, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. POCAN, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. SEWELL of 

Alabama, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. VELA, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. 

JEFFRIES, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. RUSH, Ms. 

MCCOLLUM, Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. WALZ, Mrs. DEMINGS, 

Ms. LEE, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. CLAY, Ms. ADAMS, Mr. EVANS, 

Mrs. TORRES, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. 

MCEACHIN, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. CLARKE of 

New York, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. LEVIN, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. WILSON of Florida, 

Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, and Mr. VARGAS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing June 19, 2017, 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 

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2 

•HRES 386 IH 

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; 

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 undermstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS

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•HRES 386 IH 

1 stand the experiences that have shaped the Na2 tion; and 

3 (C) encourages the people of the United 

4 States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 

5 with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro6 grams; and 

7 (2) it is the sense of the House of Representa8 tives that— 

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

10 an important and enriching part of the history 

11 and heritage of the United States; and 

12 (B) history should be regarded as a means 

13 for understanding the past and solving the chal14 lenges of the future. 

Æ 

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