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June 18, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextSENATE RESOLUTION 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
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:
S. Res. 781
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.