Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas finally got word of the Emancipation Proclamation -- two and a half years after it was issued -- effectively ending slavery in our country.

There’s no doubt our country has a difficult history, John, one marred by inequities and injustices. As a former history teacher, I know we should not run from that history -- even though there are those who would like to remove it from children’s textbooks -- because you can’t grow from your history if you don’t accept it for what it is, both the good and the bad.

We commemorate Juneteenth by recognizing that we still have a long way to go before we achieve liberty and justice for all Americans. That is what our movement is all about. We’re working together to elect President Biden and Democrats across the country because we know they will work to reduce gun violence, restore faith in our criminal justice system, and protect voting rights.

We must continue striving toward the values Juneteenth represents and working together in pursuit of a more perfect union. I’m so grateful I can count on you to do this work with me, John.

Thank you,

Jim