"Juneteenth is arguably one of the most important days in our country's history as well as African American history. On this day 140 years ago, this country made a good faith effort to live up to the principals it was founded on: liberty and justice for all. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, was put into effect on January 1, 1863, but news of the Proclamation and enforcement did not reach Texas until after the end of the Civil War almost two years later."
Juneteenth: A Day to Remember, U.S. Representative Corrine Brown, Press Release, 2005