Dear John,

Today's Juneteenth federal holiday celebrates the freeing of the last enslaved peoples of the United States and the ultimate demise of legal slavery in our country.

On this day in 1865, General Order No. 3 went into effect, freeing hundreds of thousands of former slaves in Texas as Union troops re-established federal control. This anniversary has been celebrated around the country ever since.

This holiday is a reminder not only of how far we've come as a nation, but of how much work we still have to do. Even as we celebrate the progress we have made, we must recognize that there are still too many Americans dealing with prejudice and discrimination in their daily lives.

Let’s not shy away from having the difficult conversations we need to have in order to move past our nation's legacy of slavery. And let us never forget that the diversity of the American people is a strength, not a weakness.

So please, enjoy the holiday, and take a moment to remember why it exists and to reflect on how we can continue to move forward as a country.

Warmest regards,

Raja