SRES781Referred to Committee

A 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.

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Introduced
In Committee
3
Passed One Chamber
4
Passed Both
5
Signed into Law
119th
Congress
2026-06-18
Introduced
22
Cosponsors
SRES
ⓘ
Type

Sponsor

John Cornyn
John Cornyn
Republican · TX · Senator
Votes with party: 76.0% (867 recorded votes)
Top industries funding sponsor:
  • Conservative Groups$79,418k
  • Climate & Environment$24,960k

Full profile: /officials/C001056

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

Cosponsors (22)

Members who have signed on to support this bill since introduction. Source: Congress.gov.

Latest Action

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Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4286)

2026-07-27

Source: Congress.gov

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Plain-English Summary

This resolution officially recognizes June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" to commemorate June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the Southwest finally learned they were free. The resolution honors the historical significance of this date, which marks when the last enslaved African Americans received news of emancipation, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This recognition celebrates an important milestone in American history for all citizens.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

Subjects

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Full Bill Text

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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. Res. 781 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 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. _______________________________________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________________________________ 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. <all>
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