Bill > HR213

This resolution recognizes June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth Independence Day" in Pennsylvania, commemorating the historical moment when slavery was finally abolished throughout the United States. The resolution provides extensive historical context about the transatlantic slave trade, highlighting that between 1525 and 1866, approximately 12.5 million Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas, with 10.7 million surviving the dangerous journey. It details the significance of June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the freedom of all slaves, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The resolution notes that slavery was officially abolished with the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865, and acknowledges the federal recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday in 2021. The House of Representatives resolves to encourage Pennsylvania residents to observe Juneteenth with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and to use the day as an opportunity to learn about and understand the nation's complex history of slavery and emancipation.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=213