Today we commemorate Juneteenth and the end of slavery in the U.S. And for the first time, we are finally recognizing Juneteenth as the federal holiday it should be.

While we celebrate this historic moment, we must also recognize that the legacy of slavery still affects so much in our society, all over our country. Today isn't just about the past -- it's about the future, and about taking action to build a more just and equal society, where ALL Americans can share in our country's prosperity and freedoms.

It’s clear: We still have a lot of work to do.

In the Senate, I’m working to reform an unfair justice system that disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, to protect voting rights and counter the voter suppression laws targeting people of color, to improve access to affordable health care for all, and to raise wages and expand workplace rights and protections for all the workers -- so often workers of color -- that corporations exploit and treat as expendable.

We must continue to demand justice for Black Americans and work together toward long-term solutions to dismantle systems of oppression in our country, and to build a better, more just future for everyone. I’m committed to this fight for justice, and I am grateful to know you are in this fight, too.

In solidarity,

Sherrod