Congressman Horsford Celebrates House Vote to Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday | Congressman Steven Horsford
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Congressman Horsford Celebrates House Vote to Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday

June 16, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) and a bipartisan majority of House lawmakers voted to pass the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday. This bill passed the Senate on June 15, 2021, and will become law with President Biden's signature.

"Today's bipartisan vote honors Juneteenth as a day of truth. As we celebrate emancipation, we must also recognize that justice has so often been delayed or denied for Black Americans. On Juneteenth, we rejoice in our freedoms, understand the horrors of our nation's past, and commit to building a more perfect union, with true liberty and justice for all.

"As Juneteenth celebrations have grown in recent years, so has our collective understanding about how Black history and culture have shaped our nation since its founding. Today's bill passage was possible because of efforts by leaders and activists in Nevada, including Deborah Evans, president of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation Nevada, Diane Pollard, and Al Gourrier, Sr., and I thank them for their efforts," said Congressman Steven Horsford.

Congressman Horsford is an original co-sponsor of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act as introduced in the House of Representatives. On June 14, 2021, he delivered a speech on the floor of the House to honor the history of Juneteenth and highlight the leaders of Juneteenth celebrations in Nevada's Fourth District. The full speech can be viewed here.

Media Contact
Geneva Kropper | geneva.kropper@mail.house.gov | 202-849-0251