IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 787 
Recognizing June 19, 2016, as this year’s observance of the historical 
significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 15, 2016 
Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. NORTON, Ms. LORETTA 
SANCHEZ of California, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. JOHNSON of 
Georgia, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. CLAY, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. CUM-
MINGS, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Mr. VEASEY, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. HONDA, Ms. 
ADAMS, Ms. EDWARDS, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Mrs. WATSON COLE-
MAN, Mr. GUTIE´RREZ, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. 
BROWNLEY of California, Mr. POCAN, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. GALLEGO, 
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illi-
nois, Mr. KILDEE, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mr. NADLER, 
Mr. COHEN, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Ms. HAHN, Ms. KELLY 
of Illinois, Mr. KILMER, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. LEE, Ms. 
DUCKWORTH, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. RICHMOND, Ms. 
PLASKETT, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. LARSEN 
of Washington, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. 
OLSON, Mr. LEWIS, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, and Mr. WEBER of Texas) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing June 19, 2016, 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 South-
western States, for more than 21⁄2 years after President 
Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued 
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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-Amer-
ican freedom while encouraging self-development and re-
spect 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 
Resolved, That— 
(1) the House of Representatives— 
(A) recognizes the historical significance of 
Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; 
(B) supports the continued celebration of 
Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an op-
portunity for the people of the United States to 
learn more about the past and to better under-
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•HRES 787 IH 
stand the experiences that have shaped the Na-
tion; and 
(C) encourages the people of the United 
States to observe Juneteenth Independence Day 
with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro-
grams; and 
(2) it is the sense of the House of Representa-
tives that— 
(A) the celebration of the end of slavery is 
an important and enriching part of the history 
and heritage of the United States; and 
(B) history should be regarded as a means 
for understanding the past and solving the chal-
lenges of the future. 
Æ 
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