Congressman Steven Horsford Commemorates Juneteenth Independence Day

Las Vegas, Nev. -- Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) released the following statement on the celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day, this year marking the 155th anniversary of the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The Congressman joined his colleague Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) to introduce House Resolution "The 2020 Observance of Juneteenth Independence Day," to provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and understand the experiences that have shaped the country.

"On this day, we celebrate the historic turning point in our nation's history, freeing enslaved African Americans across the country. This day is especially important this year, as we mourn the deaths of Black men and women across the country, and look toward passing into law the Justice in Policing Act with concrete federal reforms to address the root causes of these injustices and biases that persist today," Congressman Horsford said. "On this year, the 155th anniversary of the first Juneteenth, let us hold close this reminder of how far our country has come in the trek toward equality and justice for all -- and how much progress there is yet to accomplish. Just as justice was denied to the enslaved for so many generations, we must now address the justice denied to too many Black men and women as we await meaning police reform."

This year's Juneteenth celebration is also Black Census Day across the country.

"Our county has a long history of systematically disenfranchising the Black community—whether with discriminatory laws purposefully standing in the way of Black voter registration or by undercounting in the Census," Congressman Horsford, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 2020 Census Task Force, said. "The undercount of the Black community in the 2010 Census was estimated to be about 3.7 million people, denying hundreds of millions of dollars and possible representation in our government to the Black community over the last decade. The best way to fight against the undercount is to make sure that you, your loved ones, your neighbors, your coworkers, your family, and friends are all counted in the 2020 Census."

Every year, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union general Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation formally freed them. Texas was the most remote state of the South, with a low presence of Union troops, so enforcement of the proclamation was slow and inconsistent.

Juneteenth was first celebrated in the Texas State Capitol two years later, in 1867, under the direction of the Freedmen's Bureau. Today, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. This day is recognized as a state holiday in all states except Hawaii, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota.