1Observing June 19, 2013, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Originating in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865,
4when slaves in that state learned that they had been freed,
5"Juneteenth National Freedom Day" is the oldest African-American
6holiday observance in the United States; and

7WHEREAS, "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" commemorates the
8survival instinct of Africans who endured a transatlantic
9journey, known as the Middle Passage, on slave ships from their
10homeland to this country; and

11WHEREAS, Approximately 11.5 million Africans survived the
12harsh voyage to slave markets in the New World during the late
1317th century, and the slave population in the American colonies
14grew quickly; and

15WHEREAS, "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" further
16commemorates the impact of slavery, the abolition movement and

1African-American emancipation in the United States and has
2become a traditional celebration of independence, human rights
3and African-American culture in many communities; therefore be
4it

5RESOLVED, That the Senate urge Pennsylvanians to observe June
619, 2013, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in Pennsylvania.