A resolution commemorating June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 781 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 781

  Commemorating June 19, 2026, as ``Juneteenth National Independence
 Day'' in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the
     end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 18, 2026

 Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Sanders, Mr. King, Ms.
      Cortez Masto, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Padilla, Mr.
Hickenlooper, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Shaheen,
Mr. Young, Mr. Booker, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Merkley,
Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Justice, and Mrs. Britt) submitted the
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

  Commemorating June 19, 2026, as ``Juneteenth National Independence
 Day'' in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the
     end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.

Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier areas of the
        United States, in particular the State of Texas and the other
        Southwestern States, until months after the conclusion of the Civil War,
        more than 2\1/2\ years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the
        Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863;
Whereas, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger,
        arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and
        the enslaved were free;
Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June
        19, commonly known as ``Juneteenth National Independence Day'', as
        inspiration and encouragement for future generations;
Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued the tradition of
        observing Juneteenth National Independence Day for more than 150 years;
Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of
        Texas and is now a Federal holiday that is celebrated in all 50 States
        and the District of Columbia as a special day of observance in
        recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the United States;
Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations have been held to
        honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and
        respect for all cultures;
Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves and
        the descendants of former slaves remain an example for all people of the
        United States, regardless of background, religion, or race;
Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th
        Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in December 1865; and
Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States has grown into a
        symbol of democracy and freedom around the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates June 19, 2026, as ``Juneteenth National
        Independence Day'';
            (2) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth
        National Independence Day to the United States;
            (3) supports the continued nationwide celebration of
        Juneteenth National Independence Day to provide an opportunity
        for the people of the United States to learn more about the
        past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped
        the United States; and
            (4) recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is
        part of the history and heritage of the United States.
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