Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H. Res. 546 recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenge of the future. I would like to applaud my colleague Representative Davis for his persistence in celebrating this momentous occasion in U.S. history. When Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law in 1863, he freed the slaves in the confederate states. Though they were free on paper many slaves continued with their lives unaware of their freedom. Such was the case in Galveston, Texas. For two years the black population of this city lived their lives as slaves, as opposed to other southern states like Georgia and North Carolina in which the black population knew of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 19th, the situation changed when Union General Gordon Granger announced the news of their freedom to the black citizens of Galveston. Seen as one of the last bastions of slavery, General Granger's announcement brought about the end of slavery in Texas. We often praise this country for the great freedom that it affords its citizens, yet Juneteenth serves as a consistent and glaring reminder of our darker past. While it is true that significant strides have been made since then, it is important that we not forget from whence we come and learn from it.…”