{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://yoho.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoho-statement-on-commemoration-of-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-13th", "Yoho Statement on Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the 13th Amendment", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ted Yoho", "Y000065", "yoho.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.- Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-03) commemorated the 150thanniversary of the ratification of the 13thAmendment to the U.S. Constitution. This significant moment in history freed nearly 4 million slaves - formally abolishing slavery in America. Congressman Yoho released the following statement:\n150 years ago, in the midst of a bloody civil war, President Abraham Lincoln led a courageous Congress to ratify the 13thAmendment and abolish slavery in America. Today, Congress commemorated this significate moment in our nations history with a moving ceremony in Emancipation Hall.\nBefore he was president, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous House Divided speech. In it, he pointedly stated,A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect theUnionto be dissolved  I do not expect the house to fall  but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.\nThis speech, given before The Civil War started, laid the foundation for what I believe was Lincolns eventual push to end slavery. And from this, our country continuesto learn, evolve, move forward, and grow stronger.\nThe 13th Amendment set in motion a long, painful struggle for equality that continues to this day. From The Civil War, to the Civil Rights movement, to the scourge of todays human trafficking, the fight for equality continues. It is uncontainable that the exploitation and indentured servitude of individuals still exist in our world today  it must be stopped.\nI encourage everyone to take time to focus on this moment in our history, to reflect upon the meaning of freedom, liberty, and the value of human life. We must all remain vigilant in protecting the rights of our citizens and the most vulnerable among us - regardless of race, color or creed. By doing so, we do our part in creating astrongerunion and a better world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://yoho.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoho-statement-on-commemoration-of-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-13th"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.798336859792471, "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"}