S.Res. 781

[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.

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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

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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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