Statement in Support of Juneteenth – June 19, 2009

Congresswoman Laura Richardson of California presented a Statement in Support of Juneteenth into the Congressional Record.

June 19, 2009

Congresswoman Laura Richardson of California

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize June 19, 2009, or “Juneteenth,” the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States…..

…Madam Speaker, I would also like to note that in California’s 37^th Congressional District the cities of Carson, Compton, and Long Beach, which I am proud to represent, celebrated Juneteenth in a very special way. In Long Beach, The MusicUntold Orchestra and Chorale performed the Bicentennial Symphony, by composer Roy Harris, which is considered the most powerful musical statement ever made on slavery in the United States…