Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to highlight the celebration of Juneteenth throughout my State of Colorado. One hundred forty-five years ago, Black slaves in Galveston, TX, heard the contents of ``General Order No. 3,'' which proclaimed their freedom from slavery. Though the announcement in Galveston in 1865 came over 2 years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, for the first time, Black slaves learned of their freedom from a shameful policy of early America that threatened the wellbeing of the entire Union. June 19, 1865, was a joyous day for these men, women and children and has since become a day of reflection and celebration as the day when Lincoln's words in the Emancipation Proclamation were finally realized. As African Americans migrated west and out of Texas, they carried with them the memories and message they had heard on that great day in June. Communities in Colorado come together every year to continue a tradition that highlights a notable turning point in our country's history; a point at which our country's hard fought efforts to empower a segment of America's population materialized. Today, just as before, this community has continued to make powerful and positive contributions to our common quality of life. That is why it is no surprise to me that this tradition carries on. In Colorado, citizens of various backgrounds gather in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver and in the backyards of communities across our State to celebrate Juneteenth.…”