“None of us are free until we’re all free.” – Ms. Opal Lee, Grandmother of Juneteenth

John,

On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger’s order to free all enslaved people reached Texas. Today marks the anniversary of the effective end of slavery in the United States and is a reminder of how bravely Black Americans have fought for equality. However, this remembrance of freedom alone isn’t enough to move us forward.

Juneteenth is a call to sustained action and a commitment to repairing the inequality we are still facing today. Progress comes because we remember our history. We resolve to uphold a fundamental American value that rang out here in Pennsylvania nearly 250 years ago: All of us are created equal.

The national celebration of Juneteenth is an important first step toward recognizing and learning from our history, but we won’t stop fighting until everyone is fully free. After all, Ms. Opal Lee, the activist and retired educator who played a pivotal role in the official recognition of Juneteenth, had another line after her famous words: “We aren’t free yet.”

So, on this special day, join me in reflecting on our nation’s history and the work we have ahead of us to build the America that we know can exist, not as a dream, but as a reality.

Happy Juneteenth,
Speaker Joanna McClinton

This email was sent to [email protected].
Joanna McClinton serves as the Speaker of the Pennsylvania State House, while proudly serving the 191st district.
Joanna has made important strides to enact progress in the Pennsylvania Legislature. From working to protect the rights of those accused in our criminal justice system to spearheading the fight to expand our voting rights, she has proven that she will always prioritize the prosperity of Pennsylvanians over the promise of power.
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