Posted: | April 18, 2018 03:38 PM |
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From: | Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Observing June 19, 2018, as “Juneteenth Independence Day” in Pennsylvania |
On June 19, 1865, Union troops under the command of Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and, in addition to announcing the end of the Civil War, issued General Order No. 3 proclaiming all slaves to be free, including absolute equality in personal rights. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier on January 1, 1863, the news had not reached Texas and other southwestern states until this day. Since then, June 19th has become a day of celebration in recognition of the end of slavery in all regions of the United States. In the near future, I will introduce legislation observing June 19, 2018, as “Juneteenth Independence Day” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Please join us in honoring the resilience, courage, and determination of the enslaved, their descendants, and all Americans who embody Dr. King’s quote: “None are free until all are free!” |
Introduced as HR871