On Friday, June 23, 2023, Congressman Al Green delivered an impactful speech on the House floor centering on the importance of Juneteenth, the District of Columbia Emancipation Act, and his Conscience Agenda. He declared in his speech:

“President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, but prior to signing the Emancipation Proclamation, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862…this is an important piece of legislation…the Emancipation Act would accord compensation [to slaveholders] for slaves that were freed,” Congressman Green said. “We need a Slavery Remembrance Day…we also need to accord dignity and respect to the enslaved people…with a Congressional gold medal.”

You can access and listen to Representative Al Green’s full speech online here. By engaging with his address, we can deepen our understanding of the historical significance of Juneteenth, the urgent need for equitable policies, and the importance of remembering the atrocities of slavery.