Hoyer Statement on the Anniversary of Juneteenth

“This Sunday, we will mark Juneteenth, the anniversary of the final emancipation of slaves in our country in 1865.  I join in celebrating this day of freedom and remembering the millions of Americans who suffered the horrors and indignities of slavery.  Together, we must own up to the difficult contradiction that ours is a nation ‘conceived in liberty’ but one that perpetuated the evil institution of slavery even after its founding for nearly a century – that the Capitol building that stands as a symbol to the world of our democracy was constructed by those who had no say in their government or even over their own lives. 

“Juneteenth is a reminder both of our nation’s history and its responsibility today to live up to the values we hold dear: freedom, equality, opportunity, and justice.  Each of these were taken unjustly from those who were slaves, and their full measure was denied for so long to slaves’ descendants.   The cause of emancipation can never be separated from the ongoing work of equality.  No one is truly free if he or she cannot access an education, does not feel safe walking down the street, or is unfairly turned away at the ballot box. 

“I will continue to work closely with the Congressional Black Caucus and all of my Democratic colleagues to stand up for the civil rights and economic opportunity of African Americans throughout our nation.  Let us make this Juneteenth a moment to come together and resolve to translate the legacy of abolition into an ongoing commitment to full equality and justice for all.”