WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) announced passage in the United States House of Representatives of Congressional Resolution 1237, “Recognizing the Historical Significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.”

Boyda said “I was proud to support this resolution. It marks an important day in United States history – a day that set Americans on the course to equality.”

The Resolution signifies the 142nd anniversary of June 19th, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce and enforce the end of slavery.

While the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect two and a half years earlier, it was largely ignored in the states still loyal to the Confederacy. Thus, Juneteenth marks the day when liberty was truly extended to all.

The passing of the resolution indicates the importance of history, as both a tool to understand the past and effectively face the challenges of the future. Juneteenth is a celebration that observes the country’s oldest commemoration of the abolition of slavery. It is an important reminder of America’s most noble ideals – equality and freedom.

And we've reached the point politically where we had a serious female contender for the Presidential nomination of a major political party, and in fact, have a black man as the Presidential nominee of a major political party.

That's all good. Took a while longer than it should have, certainly.