Congressman Cohen Votes to Make Juneteenth a National Holiday

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) tonight voted 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 House vote was 415 to 14. After the Senate's passage of the resolution on Tuesday, the measure now moves to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I have long celebrated Juneteenth and the historic anniversary it recognizes, so I was very pleased to see the Senate act Tuesday and give the House an opportunity to pass this important measure especially as it occurs just before this year's celebrations on Saturday."

Congressman Cohen is a cosponsor of the House version of the Juneteenth resolution introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.