Courtney Votes to Make Juneteenth a National Holiday, Will Join Ceremonies in Norwich Tomorrow
WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), voted last night to make Juneteenth (June 19) a national holiday, recognizing the anniversary of that date in 1865 when enslaved residents of Texas learned of their emancipation at the end of the Civil War. The measure was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 415 – 14. The Senate voted to pass the resolution on Tuesday, and President Biden is expected to sign it into law this afternoon. Rep. Courtney is a co-sponsor of theHouse version of the Juneteenth resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.
"I've come together for years with friends and folks all throughout our eastern Connecticut communities to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth and the historic anniversary it recognizes," said Congressman Courtney. "I was very pleased to see the Senate act on Tuesday and to give us an opportunity to pass this important measure in a landslide bipartisan vote, especially as it occurs just before this year's celebrations on Saturday. This is the right thing to do, and it's going to make this year's Juneteenth celebrations even more special."
Join Rep. Courtney Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning at 9:30am ET, Rep. Courtney will join the NAACP Norwich Branch for Juneteenth Day celebrations at Norwich City Hall. The event is hosted by NAACP Norwich Branch and President Sheila Hayes, and by the City of Norwich, and will commemorate the freedom of the last known slaves in Texas two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which became official on January 1, 1863.
The ceremony is open to the public, members of the press are encouraged to attend and to take part in the celebration.
What: Norwich Juneteenth Day Ceremony
Who: Rep. Joe Courtney
Shiela Hayes (President, NAACP Norwich Branch)
When: TOMORROW, 9:30am ET
Where: Norwich City Hall, David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard | 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360
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