Senate Passes Bill to Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday

Texas Democratic Congressman Al Green began recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday in his office last year, so when the Senate passed legislation this week to make the date that commemorates freedom a national holiday, the congressman was among the first to cheer.

"What began as a grassroots movement to commemorate Texas history is now set to become our nation's 12th federal holiday," Congressman Green stated.

"In honor of the late Al Edwards – the father of the Juneteenth holiday in Texas – and every person illegally enslaved in Texas during the period between Lincoln's proclamation and Gra...