IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 316 
Observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 15, 2015 
Mr. WEBER of Texas (for himself, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Ms. ADAMS, Mr. 
BABIN, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. CARTER of Texas, Mr. 
CUELLAR, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. FARENTHOLD, Mr. GOHMERT, Ms. 
JACKSON LEE, Mr. HURD of Texas, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, 
Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. RIGELL, Mr. OLSON, Mr. O’ROURKE, Mr. SEN-
SENBRENNER, Mr. VEASEY, and Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Over-
sight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Observing the historical significance of Juneteenth 
Independence Day. 
Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier 
areas of the United States, in particular the State of 
Texas and other Southwestern States, until months after 
the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2 and a half 
years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation 
Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863; 
Whereas, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major 
General Gordon Granger, upon landing in Galveston, 
Texas, issued General Order Number 3, pronouncing all 
slaves free, including absolute equality of personal rights; 
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•HRES 316 IH 
Whereas for 150 years, Juneteenth Independence Day cele-
brations have been held to honor African-American free-
dom while encouraging self-development and respect for 
all cultures; 
Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 
former slaves and their descendants remain an example 
for all people of the United States, regardless of back-
ground, religion, or race; 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the historical significance of 
Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; 
(2) supports the continued celebration of 
Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an oppor-
tunity for the people of the United States to learn 
more about the past and to better understand the 
experiences that have shaped the Nation; 
(3) encourages the people of the United States 
to observe Juneteenth Independence Day with ap-
propriate ceremonies, activities, and programs; 
(4) recognizes that the celebration of the end of 
slavery is an important and enriching part of the 
history and heritage of the United States; and 
(5) respectfully requests that the Clerk of the 
House transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to 
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•HRES 316 IH 
the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation 
(NJOF) in appreciation of support given to the rec-
ognition of Juneteenth Independence Day. 
Æ 
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