1Designating the third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National
2Freedom Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Originating in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865,
4when slaves in that state learned that they had been freed,
5Juneteenth National Freedom Day is celebrated in at least 37
6states; and

7WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day is the oldest
8African-American holiday observance in the United States; and

9WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day commemorates the
10survival instinct of Africans who endured a transatlantic
11journey, known as the Middle Passage, on slave ships from their
12homeland to this country; and

13WHEREAS, Approximately 11.5 million Africans survived the
14harsh voyage to slave markets in the New World during the late
1517th century, and the slave population in the American colonies
16grew quickly; and

1WHEREAS, Today, Juneteenth National Freedom Day commemorates
2African-American freedom and emphasizes education and
3achievement; therefore be it

4RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
5third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in
6Pennsylvania.