1Observing June 19, 2014, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Originating in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865,
4when slaves in that state learned that they had been freed,
5Juneteenth National Freedom Day is the oldest African-American
6holiday observance in the United States; and

7WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day commemorates the
8survival instinct of Africans who endured a transatlantic
9journey, known as the Middle Passage, on slave ships from their
10homeland to this country; and

11WHEREAS, Approximately 11.5 million Africans survived the
12harsh voyage to slave markets in the New World during the late
1317th century, and the slave population in the American colonies
14grew quickly; and

15WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day further commemorates
16the impact of slavery, the abolition movement and African-

1American emancipation in the United States and has become a
2traditional celebration of independence, human rights and
3African-American culture in many communities; therefore be it

4RESOLVED, That the Senate urge Pennsylvanians to observe June
519, 2014, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in Pennsylvania.