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Juneteenth National Independence Day Act

Floor Speech

Date: June 16, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Arts, Entertainment, and History

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Mr. MASSIE. Madam Speaker, I fully support creating a day to celebrate the abolition of slavery, a dark portion of our Nation's history. However, naming this day National Independence Day will create confusion and push Americans to pick one of those 2 days as their Independence Day based on their racial identity.

Why can't we name this Emancipation Day and come together as Americans and celebrate that day together as Americans?

Black and White--all colors, all races, and all ethnicities--can then come together on Independence Day, which celebrates the creation of our country, throwing off an oppressive government, and come together as Black, White, and all races to celebrate that day, too?

Why ask Americans to pick one of the two Independence Days to celebrate? I think it is wrong to do that.

I think this day is misnamed. I do support creating a holiday and recognizing that wonderful day and that wonderful time when we got rid of slavery in this country. But let's celebrate both of those days: Independence Day and the day that we celebrate emancipation and ridding our country of slavery. Let's celebrate those 2 days together as one Nation under God indivisible.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), who is a member of the Oversight and Reform Committee.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday to celebrate the ending of the most horrific period and the most horrific policy and practices this Nation has ever known: slavery.

I heard one of my colleagues suggest a moment ago that perhaps the cost of Juneteenth is not known. I guarantee you, Madam Speaker, that whatever the cost, it will not come close to the cost of slavery.

Juneteenth is the recognition that darkness can come to light and that there is a celebration as my forefathers and -mothers struggled to endure the horror they experienced. So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to vote for the resolution.

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