Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 546 which recognizes 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 challenges of the future. On June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African- Americans were free, ``Juneteenth Independence Day'' was born. On this historic day, legend has it, while standing on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of ``General Order No. 3'': The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere. In that moment, Galveston streets were filled with jubilant celebrations and the following year, the commemoration of June 19th or Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas.…”