Peters Commemorates Juneteenth Independence Day
DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement recognizing June 19th as the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth Independence Day, the day the last remaining African-American slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation:
“Each year, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on our nation’s painful legacy of slavery and the fight for equality that still continues today. It is also a reminder of the enduring hope for and efforts to build an America where all people are treated equally in the eyes of the law and in our society. Today, we acknowledge this dark period in American history and celebrate the progress we have made – while recognizing the important work that still needs to be done.
“I am glad the President has signed into law a bill that I supported to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, but it is not enough to simply acknowledge the sins of the past. We have a moral responsibility to take decisive action to address the racial disparities and systemic inequalities that still exist in our country – disparities that were further highlighted during the pandemic. We need to come together to pass legislation to protect voting rights and reform our national criminal justice system. We need to work to strengthen workforce development programs and improve access to good-paying jobs, affordable health care, and quality education. We must match this recognition with action and continue to work to create a more perfect union for all Americans.”
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