WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, on June 19 released the following statement in commemoration of Juneteenth, which marks the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people were emancipated:

“Last year, 156 years after the first Juneteenth celebration commemorated the end of slavery in America, our nation took the long overdue step of federally recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday,” said Chairwoman Maloney. “Juneteenth is an important day to acknowledge and learn from our nation’s dark history in order to fight for equality and justice for all Americans. Today, as we reflect on our past, we must also recommit ourselves to the work that remains to advance progress in our country.”

On June 16, 2021, Chairwoman Maloney spoke in favor of S. 475, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday while managing the bill on the House Floor.