{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-commemorates-juneteenth-holiday-to-mark-end-of-slavery-in-america", "King Commemorates Juneteenth Holiday to Mark End of Slavery in America", "2024-06-19", "2024", "2024-06", "Independent", "Senate", "ME", "Angus S. King, Jr.", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", "angusking", "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Today, U.S. Senator Angus King released the following statement marking Juneteenth, a day also known as \u201cEmancipation Day,\u201d which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States:\n\n\u201cFor more than 150 years, Juneteenth has reflected the contradiction inherent in America\u2019s identity \u2013 it is both a celebration of the freedom that defines our national character, and a reminder that we are only a few generations removed from the inhumane institution of slavery. But the path to freedom isn\u2019t complete. It wasn\u2019t complete in 1865, and sadly, it\u2019s not complete today.\n\n\u201cToday, I\u2019m asking Maine people that we meet the promise of America, and that we live our principles. That we provide more than rhetoric. That we work together on actions and policies to make our society more inclusive, more welcoming, and more just. It is fitting that this day be recognized as a national holiday, providing all Americans with the opportunity to reflect upon how much progress we have made, and all the unfinished work ahead of us. If we are to truly craft a more perfect union, we must mark today\u2019s holiday as a step in the path towards that better future.\u201d\n\nOn June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which announced that, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, \u201call slaves are free.\u201d Juneteenth is celebrated by states and municipalities as an official holiday or day of observance, including in Maine.\n\nThe Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, signed into law in 2021, was introduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by 60 Senators, including Senator King.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-commemorates-juneteenth-holiday-to-mark-end-of-slavery-in-america"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9516100399196148, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}