16128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 153, Pt. 12 June 18, 2007 S. 1352 the entire sum within 30 days in order fight poverty during our Nation’s worst Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- to stimulate the economy. His efforts economic crisis and his exemplary resentatives of the United States of America in influenced the passage of President civic activism are an example for us Congress assembled, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Social Secu- all. SECTION 1. DR. FRANCIS TOWNSEND POST OF- rity Act. Naming the Fairbury, Illinois, post FICE BUILDING. Mr. Speaker, I commend my col- office after one of its most famous citi- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the league from Illinois, Senator RICHARD United States Postal Service located at 127 zens during the sesquicentennial anni- DURBIN, for introducing this legisla- East Locust Street in Fairbury, Illinois, versary of Fairbury is a fitting celebra- shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Dr. tion, and I urge swift passage. tion of both Dr. Townsend’s contribu- Francis Townsend Post Office Building’’. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tions to the city and to this important (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, my time. milestone. map, regulation, document, paper, or other Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance record of the United States to the facility re- self such time as I may consume. of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I be a reference to the ‘‘Dr. Francis Townsend one of Fairbury, Illinois’ most famous would just close by noting that here is Post Office Building’’. citizens, and that was Dr. Francis an excellent example of a citizen with Townsend. He was an American physi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- an idea, an idea that was promulgated cian best known for creating the Town- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- into legislation, legislation that all of send Old-age Revolving Pension plan linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman us, if we live to be 65 or somewhat close and for spurring social movement that from Idaho (Mr. SALI) each will control to, benefit from. And so I think it is in- advocated for benefits for the elderly 20 minutes. deed appropriate. The Chair recognizes the gentleman during the 1930s. Again, I want to thank Senator DUR- from Illinois. Dr. Townsend, the son of a farmer, BIN for introducing this legislation. GENERAL LEAVE grew up in Fairbury, Illinois, and at- tended Omaha Medical College in 1917. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I of my time. ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Shortly after becoming a physician, he served in the Army Medical Corps dur- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bers may have 5 legislative days in question is on the motion offered by which to revise and extend their re- ing World War I. After leaving the Army, he began a medical practice in the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. marks. Long Beach, California. When this was DAVIS) that the House suspend the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there not successful, he obtained employ- rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1352. objection to the request of the gen- ment as the assistant city health direc- The question was taken. tleman from Illinois? tor. Sadly, due to the Great Depres- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the There was no objection. sion, he lost that job and was forced opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I into retirement. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. yield myself as much time as I might In 1933, Dr. Townsend witnessed Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, consume. something extremely heartbreaking on that I demand the yeas and nays. As a member of the House Committee but not uncommon during the Great The yeas and nays were ordered. on Oversight and Government Reform, Depression when he saw three old la- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- I am pleased to join my colleague in dies searching through trash cans in ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the consideration of S. 1352, which names a his back alley for food. This became a Chair’s prior announcement, further postal facility in Fairbury, Illinois, watershed moment for the doctor. In proceedings on this question will be after Dr. Francis Townsend. response to what he observed, and his postponed. S. 1352, which was introduced by Sen- inner drive to help others, he decided f ator RICHARD DURBIN on May 10, 2007, to become involved in politics. Later was reported from the Oversight Com- that year he created the Townsend b 1515 mittee on June 12, 2007 by a voice vote. Plan, which proposed creating a Fed- RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE Dr. Francis Townsend was born in eral pension of $200 a month for every 1867 into an impoverished Illinois farm- OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE citizen 60 years old and older on the DAY ing family. Shortly after he was born, condition that the money would be his family moved to Nebraska, where spent within 30 days in order to stimu- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I he graduated from high school and late the economy. move to suspend the rules and agree to began a varied career. He tried farming By 1934, through his leadership and the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. and selling in Kansas, land speculation determination to help the down- 155) recognizing the historical signifi- in Los Angeles, and worked as a la- trodden, the plan generated a great cance of Juneteenth Independence Day, borer in Colorado. deal of support and gave rise to the es- and expressing the sense of Congress In 1899, he enrolled in the Omaha tablishment of at least 5,000 ‘‘Town- that history should be regarded as a Medical College, and graduated in 1903 send clubs’’ nationwide. At the height means for understanding the past and at the age of 36. He served as an Army of popularity, membership in the clubs more effectively facing the challenges doctor in World War I and during the totaled over 2 million people. of the future. Great Depression, and took a job as the By 1935, an additional 25 million The Clerk read the title of the con- assistant director of the City Health Americans signed petitions to Congress current resolution. Office in Long Beach, California. At and the White House supporting the The text of the concurrent resolution the age of 66, Dr. Townsend lost his job implementation of Dr. Townsend’s is as follows: and found himself both poor and out of plan. He became such a national celeb- H. CON. RES. 155 work. rity by this time that he testified be- Whereas news of the end of slavery did not There were millions of elderly people fore Congress. reach frontier areas of the United States, just like him who were barely making Thanks to Dr. Townsend’s efforts, his and in particular the Southwestern States, ends meet. One day he had a vision of social crusades sparked a national for more than 2 years after President Lin- how to help the elderly and the coun- antipoverty movement in 1933 that coln’s Emancipation Proclamation of Janu- try as a whole. He wrote a letter to a likely contributed to the expedited ary 1, 1863, and months after the conclusion newspaper outlining his ‘‘old-aged pen- of the Civil War; passage of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s So- Whereas on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers sion plan for seniors.’’ This plan cre- cial Security Act of 1935, one of the led by Major General Gordon Granger ar- ated a Federal pension of $200 a month major initiatives of the New Deal. rived in Galveston, Texas, with news that paid to every citizen 60 and older on Dr. Townsend was a steadfast leader the Civil War had ended and that the the condition that the pensioner spend and original thinker. His efforts to enslaved were free;

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As Americans, we must welcome all to attend. Whereas for more than 135 years, never forget how precious freedom is. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations Juneteenth is the day that all Ameri- concurrent resolution. have been held to honor African American cans of all races, creeds and ethnic Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to freedom while encouraging self-development backgrounds can celebrate freedom and voice my strong support for H. Con. Res. 155, and respect for all cultures; Whereas although Juneteenth Independ- the end of slavery in the United States. ‘‘Recognizing the Historical Significance of ence Day is beginning to be recognized as a Its historical significance should be re- Juneteenth Independence Day.’’ national, and even global, event, the history garded as a means of understanding the As someone who has spent more than a behind the celebration should not be forgot- past and more effectively facing the quarter of a century serving the people of ten; and challenges of the future. Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District in the Whereas the faith and strength of char- As the sponsor of H. Con. Res. 155, I House of Representatives, I have developed a acter demonstrated by former slaves remains encourage all of my colleagues to sup- profound appreciation for the hard work that an example for all people of the United port this legislation and urge President goes into creating the laws of our land. How- States, regardless of background, religion, or Bush to issue a proclamation observing ever, it is not the passage of legislation or race: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Juneteenth Independence Day with ap- signing ceremonies with the President that I Senate concurring), That— propriate ceremonies, activities and will remember most when my time here is (1) Congress recognizes the historical sig- programs. done. Rather, it is seeing the way that our nificance of Juneteenth Independence Day to Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of work positively impacts the lives of those we the Nation; my time. serve out in the real world. (2) Congress supports the continued cele- Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- This is why Juneteenth Independence Day bration of Juneteenth Independence Day to self such time as I may consume. holds such special significance for me. Be- provide an opportunity for the people of the Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to imagine United States to learn more about the past cause Juneteenth isn’t a celebration of the and to better understand the experiences a time when national news took Emancipation Proclamation itself, it is a com- that have shaped the Nation; months and sometimes years to dis- memoration of the day that Abraham Lincoln’s (3) the President is urged to issue a procla- seminate throughout the country. historic decree finally accomplished what it mation calling on the people of the United Today we get immediate news updates was designed to do—abolish slavery in the States to observe Juneteenth Independence through various outlets. But it was United States forever. Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, over 2 years after President Lincoln When the Emancipation Proclamation took and programs; and gave the historical Emancipation Proc- effect on January 1, 1863, it ended slavery in (4) it is the sense of Congress that— lamation that the slaves of Galveston, the Union states, but did nothing to outlaw the (A) history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effec- Texas, learned that their long-deserved cruel and barbaric practice in the states loyal 1 tively facing the challenges of the future; freedom had been won. It was on that to the Confederacy. It wasn’t until 2 ⁄2 years and date, June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers later—when Major General Gordon Granger (B) the celebration of the end of slavery is made their way southwest to spread landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that an important and enriching part of the his- the joyful news of their Civil War vic- the Civil War was over, the United States was tory and heritage of the United States. tory. whole once again, and that all slaves in every The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Every year on June 19, commonly part of our nation were now free—that the ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- known as Juneteenth Independence spirit of abolition was finally fulfilled. linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman Day, African Americans in the South- That day was June 19, 1865—and today, from Idaho (Mr. SALI) each will control west and around the Nation celebrate we mark the 142nd anniversary of the moment 20 minutes. their emancipation, their culture and that freedom, equality and the unabated pur- The Chair recognizes the gentleman the historic significance of the civil suit of happiness were extended to all citizens from Illinois. rights struggles. It is critical that we of the United States, regardless of race, reli- GENERAL LEAVE educate our children not only of Amer- gion or ethnicity. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ican history and the Civil War, but the It gives me great pride to join my colleagues ask unanimous consent that all Mem- tradition of Juneteenth Independence in Congress—as well as Americans from all bers may have 5 legislative days in Day. By taking time to celebrate these walks of life—in commemorating our country’s which to revise and extend their re- anniversaries, we honor the richness, oldest celebration of the abolishment of slav- marks. diversity and heritage of all races that ery, and in honoring all of the achievements The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there form our great Nation. and contributions of African Americans objection to the request of the gen- June 19th is a time to acknowledge a throughout our nation’s history. tleman from Illinois? period of history that helped shape our Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to There was no objection. Nation and continues to influence our support H. Con. Res. 155, legislation com- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I society today. It is with great honor memorating a monumental day in the history yield myself such time as I may con- that I support the passage of House of liberty, Juneteenth Independence Day. sume. Concurrent Resolution 155. Juneteenth marks the events of June 19, Mr. Speaker, this year marks the Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 1865, when slaves in Galveston, TX, learned 142nd anniversary of Juneteenth Inde- of my time. that they were at last free men and women. pendence Day. On June 19, 1865, MG Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I The slaves of Galveston were the last group Gordon Granger and Union soldiers ar- want to thank the gentleman from of slaves to learn of the end of slavery. Thus, rived in Galveston, Texas, with the Idaho for his remarks and comments Juneteenth represents the end of slavery in news of the Emancipation Proclama- and for his support of this resolution. I America. tion and the end of the Civil War. News also would just note that I attended a I hope all Americans will take the time to of President Abraham Lincoln’s Eman- Juneteenth celebration in the neigh- commemorate Juneteenth. Friends of human cipation Proclamation on January 1, borhood where I live on Saturday, and, liberty should celebrate the end of slavery in 1863, did not reach the frontier areas of of course, they had speeches, poems, any country. The end of American slavery is the United States, especially the readings and historical proclamations particularly worthy of recognition since there Southwest, for almost 21⁄2 years. Gen- that people did. are few more blatant violations of America’s

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Rather, it representing Galveston. the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and has become an annual cultural observance I thank the gentleman from Illinois for intro- others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth- primarily devoted to civic affairs because it en- ducing this resolution, which I am proud to co- centered activities. In recent years, a number courages us to be sensitive to others’ condi- sponsor. I thank the House leadership for of National Juneteenth Organizations have tions and experiences, so that we can make bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge risen to take their place alongside older orga- significant and lasting improvements in our so- all of my colleagues to honor the end of slav- nizations—all with the mission to promote and ciety. Like the African Sankofa, we must ac- ery by voting for H. Con. Res. 155. cultivate knowledge and appreciation of Afri- knowledge and honor our past. But we must Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, can American history and culture. always fervently forge to solidify a hopeful fu- I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 155, Juneteenth today celebrates African Amer- ture. which recognizes the historical significance of ican freedom while encouraging self-develop- Regrettably, the African American commu- Juneteenth Independence Day, and expresses ment and respect for all cultures. As it takes nity continues to confront many challenges in the sense of Congress that history should be on a more national and even global perspec- mitigating and eventually eliminating institu- regarded as a means for understanding the tive, the events of 1865 in Texas are not for- tional racism. Emancipation did not bring past and more effectively facing the chal- gotten. The future of Juneteenth looks bright equality. We still live in a society plagued by lenges of the future. as the number of cities and states come on prejudices and stereotypes. I find it June 19th also known as Juneteenth, is the board and form local committees and organi- unfathomable that such a momentous occa- oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of zations to coordinate the activities. sion is seldom acknowledged, much less cele- the ending of slavery in the United States. Now in 2007, I push forward with the hope brated. We must not let our past dictate our From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the that my colleagues will remember with com- present. After all, we owe it to the thousands observance of June 19th as the African Amer- passion the African American citizens who of lives that were mercilessly destroyed by an ican Emancipation Day has spread across the helped build this country, but were still held in elitist society designed to subject and sup- United States and beyond, yet it is still not a illegal bondage due to the hatred, bigotry and press them. Let us take the initiative to finally nationally recognized holiday. cruelty of others. I ask that my colleagues help On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an tend to a gashing wound that has crippled the support this resolution and its efforts in making official Texas state holiday through the efforts African American community. Let us honor our Juneteenth a nationally recognized holiday. of Al Edwards, an African American state leg- ancestors and build a future noteworthy of Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I islator. The successful passage of this bill their legacy. rise today to commemorate the passage of marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation Mr. Speaker, Juneteenth is a significant House Concurrent Resolution 155. This reso- celebration granted official state recognition. event that addresses the paradoxical race re- lution recognizes Juneteenth’s significance in Representative Edwards has since actively lations in our nation! It recognizes the impedi- crafting a rich African American legacy. sought to spread the observance of ments faced by the black community yet con- Juneteenth, also known as Freedom or Eman- Juneteenth all across America. tinues to inspire us to strive for an egalitarian Today, Juneteenth commemorates African- cipation Day, is an informal observance in society. We should set precedence on ad- American freedom. This special day empha- fourteen states in the United States. It marked dressing past atrocities and present disparities sizes education and achievement. It is a day, the beginning of a new phase in African-Amer- so that we can truly embody democracy. I am a week, and in some areas, a month marked ican history, when emancipated slaves along honored to support this resolution. with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and with their former owners began, slowly and Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and haltingly, to travel the long road to equality yield back the balance of my time. rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-im- and integration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The provement and for planning the future. Its Celebrated on June 19th, Juneteenth is the question is on the motion offered by growing popularity signifies a level of maturity name given to emancipation day by African the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. and dignity in America long overdue. In cities Americans in Texas. On that day in 1865, DAVIS) that the House suspend the across the country, people of all races, nation- Union Major General Gordon Granger read rules and agree to the concurrent reso- alities and religions are joining hands to truth- General Order #3, officially proclaiming free- lution, H. Con. Res. 155. fully acknowledge a period in our history that dom for slaves in that state. Granger’s ride The question was taken; and (two- shaped and continues to influence our society through Galveston culminated a two-and a thirds being in the affirmative) the today. Sensitized to the conditions and experi- half-year trek through America’s deep south to rules were suspended and the concur- ences of others, only then can we make sig- liberate the enslaved. rent resolution was agreed to. nificant and lasting improvements in our soci- Juneteenth is an expression and extension A motion to reconsider was laid on ety. of American freedom, and like the Fourth of the table. July, is a time for all Americans to celebrate The Civil Rights movement of the 50’s and f 60’s yielded both positive and negative results our independence, human rights, civil rights for the Juneteenth celebrations. While it pulled and freedom. It is an occasion where time, RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE many of the African American youth away and history and culture conspire to celebrate such OF NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMER- into the struggle for racial equality, many a symbolic event. ICAN HERITAGE MONTH linked these struggles to the historical strug- The celebration of June 19th as emanci- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I gles of their ancestors. This was evidenced by pation day spread from Texas to the neigh- move to suspend the rules and agree to student demonstrators involved in the Atlanta boring states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. civil rights campaign in the early 1960’s, who Oklahoma. It has also appeared in Alabama, 148) recognizing the significance of Na- wore Juneteenth freedom buttons. Florida, and California as African American tional Caribbean-American Heritage Again in 1968, Juneteenth received another Texans migrated to those regions. Month. strong resurgence through the Poor People’s Juneteenth’s commemoration did not only ex- The Clerk read the title of the con- March to Washington, DC, Rev. Ralph tend its geographic reach but it also embraced current resolution. Abernathy’s call for people of all races, participants from all political and civic seg- The text of the concurrent resolution creeds, economic levels and professions to ments of the black community. is as follows: come to Washington to show support for the Unfortunately, my home state does not offi- H. CON. RES. 148 poor. Many of these attendees returned home cially recognize Juneteenth but has an unoffi- Whereas people of Caribbean heritage are and initiated Juneteenth celebrations in areas cial commemoration on May 20th in the cap- found in every State of the Union; previously absent of such activity. In fact, two ital, Tallahassee. Even as we acknowledge Whereas emigration from the Caribbean re- of the largest Juneteenth celebrations founded the evils of slavery and the ravages it wrought gion to the American Colonies began as early after this march are now held in Milwaukee upon our society while paying tribute to those as 1619 with the arrival of indentured work- and Minneapolis. who suffered with no recompense, Juneteenth ers in Jamestown, Virginia;

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