WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement Thursday in recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day — the day that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free the last of the nation’s slaves. June 19, 1865 is also known as Emancipation Day.
“The end of the darkest period in our nation’s history was a cause for great celebration and pride, and its anniversary offers us an important opportunity to reflect on the meaning of equality in the United States. For as far as our nation has come in these last 149 years, we still have further to go. We should not be shy about admitting the challenges African Americans still face in this country, nor should we be timid about confronting them. We cannot stop working to make our country fairer and more just for all of its citizens, and about expanding access to the opportunities due every American. Efforts by some to restrict voting, dilute the voices of individual citizens, and limit access to a quality public education are an affront to the united nation born of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and the values we cherish as Americans. We can and must do better to honor the sacrifices of those who have fought for equality, and to respect President Lincoln’s true ‘act of justice.’”
Earlier this month, Senator Coons cosponsored a resolution honoring Juneteenth Independence Day. It was approved unanimously last week. You can read the resolution here: http://1.usa.gov/1uGViUh