Sheila Jackson Lee: “I am excited this week to introduce H. Res. 505, a bill to again commemorate and honor Juneteenth. Juneteenth should be…”

“I am excited this week to introduce H. Res. 505, a bill to again commemorate and honor Juneteenth. Juneteenth should be a holiday that brings all Americans together because it is about freedom, freedom of a people. It was when General Granger came to Galveston, Texas, with General Order No. 3, to release the slaves who had been held an extra 2 years because a State would not listen. It is a holiday that brings us together. There will be commemorations in Galveston. There will be commemorations in Houston, Texas, proudly bringing people from all ethnic backgrounds together, from Friday all the way to the Juneteenth holiday. I am very proud to acknowledge Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth, who brought a million petitions here to say that we need a Federal holiday. I am proud to honor the late Representative Al Edwards, who introduced the first bill to make it a State holiday in Texas. I was very glad to be inspired by him and mentored by him to introduce the Federal legislation, introducing the resolution for 10 years and then finally achieving my goal, our goal, to have a Federal holiday. It is a holiday for all people. Let us celebrate Juneteenth on June 19. Do something in your community that heals, welcomes, and joins each community together. It is about freedom of a people, freedom of America, and our wonderful democracy. ____________________”