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Friend,
159 years ago, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and freed the 250,000 people who remained in bondage across Texas. More than two years had passed since President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Civil War had been over for months. But news of freedom did not reach Texas until June 19th, when the last enslaved Americans were finally free.
In 2021, I voted to commemorate this historic day by making Juneteenth a national holiday. Each year, Juneteenth reminds us of the remarkable strides we’ve made toward achieving racial equity. In 2022, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court. The historic Child Tax Credit championed by President Biden cut child poverty in half for Black families. Today, Black entrepreneurs are launching small businesses at the fastest rate in 30 years, and the wealth gap is the lowest it's been in 20 years.
In addition to reminding us of how far we’ve come, the holiday also prompts us to reflect on how far we still have to go. Congressional Republicans continue to block both the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs revoked the right to have an abortion, disproportionately impacting Black women. Republican lawmakers are literally banning books that teach students about Black history.
This Juneteenth, I’m recommitting myself to realizing the promise of racial justice. Of course, that means re-electing President Biden and Vice President Harris in November. It also means electing a Democratic Congress that can help to deliver, rather than impede, lasting change. With all the work that lies ahead, I’m grateful to be your partner in this fight.
– Jim
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