Congresswoman Beatty Commemorates Juneteenth

More than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers—led by General Gordon Granger—arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, with the news that the Civil War had ended and that all previously enslaved people were now free, including over 250,000 enslaved Texans. This occasion is now observed as ‘Juneteenth.' This Juneteenth is particularly timely, as our nation is reckoning and reeling from not only the COVID-19 Pandemic but also the senseless deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and far too many Black men and women in Ohio's Third Congressional District and across the nation.

In response, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) recently introduced a resolution, H.Res. 990, that recognizes racism as a ‘national crisis' and calls for a truth and reconciliation process for Congress and our country to undertake. Moreover, Beatty cosponsored several additional measures pertaining to Juneteenth, including H.Res. 450, a resolution making the day a national holiday as well as H.Res. 1010, a resolution recognizing the need for safeguards to protect the integrity of U.S. elections and to finally stamp out voter suppression.

"This year's Juneteenth celebration comes as our nation and the world confront the COVID-19 Pandemic and are witnessing deep inequities not just here at home but abroad," Beatty said. "The Black community is facing historic and pervasive disparities in healthcare, employment, housing, policing and our justice system. During this moment of crisis, it will take all Americans to work together to overcome the Pandemic, ensure justice for all and to address the long-term systemic discrimination faced by communities of color." She concluded, ‘The time is now to have a truth and reconciliation process to end racial disparities, unequal treatment and societal injustices that are the long-standing vestiges of slavery in America."