Leonard L. Boswell: “this is a very special day. I congratulate and I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) and my dear…”

“this is a very special day. I congratulate and I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) and my dear friend from Chicago, Illinois (Mr. Davis). Perhaps this is one of those times where everything has been said but maybe all of us have not said it yet, but I think it needs repetition. We have been at this for a while. It should have happened some time ago. Efforts were actually made. Can you imagine the feeling that went on there in the Southwest when the general rode in and said, ``I've got a message. Well, it's 2 years old, but you're free.'' I cannot imagine how they must have felt. It celebrates ideals that all Americans share. The desire for freedom and self-determination are at the very soul of the American dream. I think we all understand that. Throughout the history of the United States, we have grown as a Nation and a people. Learning from our past, as has been said, learning that freedom and liberty are ideals we must to work for and there is yet work to do. Since the first Juneteenth celebration in Galveston, this remembrance has grown into a regional, national and global celebration of freedom. In my own State of Iowa, the seventh State to recognize this independence day, Juneteenth is met with multiple days of education, history, camaraderie, celebration and community spirit.…”