Happy Juneteenth.

On this day in 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas and formally announced the last enslaved people of their freedom, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

One hundred and fifty-nine years ago, newly freed slaves didn’t know what awaited them outside of slavery, but they knew they now had the opportunity to pursue a better life for themselves, their families and loved ones, and the next generation.

Today, we move forward with that same hope our ancestors had as we continue our fight for a more perfect union, but we also acknowledge the work still ahead of us, and the barriers that remain -- many of which our ancestors faced, too.

Systemic racism and white supremacy remain all too prevalent in our society and institutions. There is more we can -- and must -- do to protect the right to vote and counter the voter suppression laws that all too often target Black communities. We must keep fighting to expand access to affordable health care, to bring down costs, and to defend our hard-won freedoms from those working to dismantle them.

Our work continues, and I’m grateful to have you with us.

Thank you, and happy Juneteenth.

Jaime Harrison
Chair
Democratic National Committee