SRES 781 — A resolution commemorating June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.

Summary

The Senate commemorates June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" in recognition of June 19, 1865, when news of the end of slavery reached enslaved people in Texas and other Southwestern States.
The resolution recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth National Independence Day to the United States.
The resolution supports the continued nationwide celebration of Juneteenth National Independence Day as an opportunity for Americans to learn about the past and understand the experiences that have shaped the nation.
The resolution recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is part of the history and heritage of the United States.

AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.

Sponsor (1)

Sen. Cornyn, John (R-TX)

21 cosponsors

Money behind the sponsor

Top reported contributors to John Cornyn’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.

CAPITAL GROUP $22,500
ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ $16,500
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES $13,686
WINKLEVOSS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT $13,200
BLACKSTONE $12,600

Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for John Cornyn → · Outside spending →

Actions (5)

Jul 27, 2026 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4286) · senate
Jul 27, 2026 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Jul 27, 2026 Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. · senate
Jun 18, 2026 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2940) · senate
Jun 18, 2026 Submitted in Senate

Related bills (1)

More bills on these subjects (8)

Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).

Similar bills (6)

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Text versions (2)

Agreed to Senate · Jul 27, 2026
Introduced in Senate · Jun 18, 2026

FromTo

Full text

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 18, 2026

Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Sanders, Mr. King, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Hickenlooper, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Young, Mr. Booker, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Justice, Mrs. Britt, and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

July 27, 2026

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Commemorating June 19, 2026, as “Juneteenth National Independence Day” in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.

Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier areas of the United States, in particular the State of Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2\1/2\ years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; Whereas, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free; Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as “Juneteenth National Independence Day”, as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued the tradition of observing Juneteenth National Independence Day for more than 150 years; Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of Texas and is now a Federal holiday that is celebrated in all 50 States and the District of Columbia as a special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the United States; Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures; Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race; Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in December 1865; and Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States has grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around the world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) commemorates June 19, 2026, as “Juneteenth National Independence Day”;

(2) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth National Independence Day to the United States;

(3) supports the continued nationwide celebration of Juneteenth National Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the United States; and

(4) recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is part of the history and heritage of the United States. <all>

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