Sheila Jackson Lee: “Last Saturday, June 19, was the celebration of Juneteenth. Thirty-six States now recognize that as a State holiday, a…”

“Last Saturday, June 19, was the celebration of Juneteenth. Thirty-six States now recognize that as a State holiday, a holiday that is not just for one narrow community, but in actuality, is about perseverance, determination, commitment, and freedom. Major Gordon Granger landed on the shores of Galveston, Texas, to announce that those who had been enslaved are free, 2 years later, past the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln. Today we have the same challenges of restoring, of being persevering and determined to improve education, to restore summer jobs that have not been voted on yet, to pass a remedies bill that I am introducing that is going to take a new look at the gulf oil spill and restore some new processes to not have this happen again. And yes, restore some dignity to the brass as it relates to the Commander in Chief, who should always be respected. Let us restore dignity and freedom to this Nation and include the United States military brass that have to be more respectful of the President than I have seen in the last 48 hours.”