Congressman David Trone Hosts Juneteenth Roundtable As President Biden is Expected to Sign Bill Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2021
Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov
Congressman David Trone Hosts Juneteenth Roundtable As President Biden is Expected to Sign Bill Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
Congressman Trone with Juneteenth Roundtable Panelists. To watch the full conversation click here.
WASHINGTON, DC – As President Biden plans to sign into law the bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday, Representative David Trone (MD-06) hosted a roundtable with Ms. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” to celebrate Juneteenth and understand the roots of systemic racism in America. Representative Trone is an original co-sponsor of the bill that passed in the Senate and in the House earlier this week.
You can watch the discussion here.
The panelists included:
- Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX)
- Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” and a longtime advocate and former teacher
- Clory Jackson, founder of the Brownsville Project
- Shirl Spicer, Countywide Museum Manager for the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Montgomery County
- Dr. Dennis Doster, Black History Program Manager for the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Prince George’s County
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure all enslaved people were freed. It is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery, and a reminder that real justice is often delayed. During the roundtable, the panelists covered how to educate individuals on the history of systemic racism, the racial wealth gap, mass incarceration, and voter suppression. Panelists shared personal stories of redlining and discussed ways in which reparations for the past can be incorporated into America’s future.
“Juneteenth is an opportunity to educate all Americans about our nation’s history and the importance of continuing the fight for equity and justice,” said Representative David Trone. “From education and housing, to healthcare and voting rights, Juneteenth serves as a reminder that there is still systemic inequity in our country that must be addressed. I proudly voted to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, and I am looking forward to commemorating this day every year after President Biden signs the bill into law today.”
The recorded discussion can be found here.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees in the 117th Congress and previously served on the Education and Labor and Foreign Affairs Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
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