Kaine Statement On The Observance Of Juneteenth

RICHMOND, VA – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the observance of Juneteenth:

“On this day 151 years ago, people celebrated the end of slavery in the South. Over a century and a half later, the ‘Juneteenth’ celebrations continue and I’m proud to join Virginians and Americans across the country in continuing this important tradition.

“The history of African-Americans is a tragic and painful one in many ways, but it’s also a history of triumph over adversity. The year 2019 will mark 400 years since the arrival of Africans to America. To commemorate this legacy, I’ve called for the establishment of a commission that would be charged with recognizing and highlighting the resilience and contributions of African-Americans to our nation’s history, as well as acknowledging the painful impact slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination have had. Similar commissions have been established to recognize English & Hispanic heritage, including the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia and the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida. The profound influence of African-Americans across countless generations is a story that must be told.”

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