“On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and informed slaves of their freedom and the end of the Civil War — and Juneteenth was born. On this day, we commemorate not only the beginning of a new chapter of liberation and promise for Black Americans, but also reflect on the hardship placed upon Black Americans in the pursuit of the full citizenship and opportunity due to us all.

“This week, Congress passed and President Biden signed a law, which took the important and long overdue step of designating Juneteenth a federal holiday, but the urgency of protecting our fundamental freedoms cannot wait. Congress must pass legislation to ensure the right to vote remains strong and protected.

“Today we reflect on the remarkable resilience of our ancestors and take stock of our progress and of what work remains in order to end the systemic racism that still impacts so many Black Americans. As Democrats, we are committed to honoring Black history, mirroring the fortitude of those who came before us, and forging a better path for our children and for the American people.”