< Previous50 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | February 2015 O n June 19, 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston and an- nounced the freedom of the last American slaves; belatedly freeing 250,000 slaves in Texas nearly two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Procla- mation. The day coined Juneteenth was first cel- ebrated in the Texas state capital in 1867 under the direction of the Freed- men’s Bureau. Today, Juneteenth remains the oldest known celebration of slavery’s demise. It commemorates freedom while acknowledging the sacrifices and contribu- tions made by coura- geous African Americans toward making our great nation the more con- scious and accepting country that it has be- come. Last year, I introduced H. Res 268 — a Resolu- tion observing the his- torical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. As we celebrate the anniversary of June- teenth, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in reflecting upon its significance. Because it was only after that day in 1865 when Gen. Granger rode into Galveston on the heels of the most devastating conflict in our country’s history, in the aftermath of a civil war that pitted brother against brother, neigh- bor against neighbor and threatened to tear the fabric of our union apart forever that America truly became the land of the free and the home of the brave. Not until 1979 when my friend State Rep. Al Edwards introduced the bill did Juneteenth become a Texas state holiday. It was first cel- ebrated as such in 1980. Civil rights pioneer Mar- tin Luther King Jr. once said, “freedom is never free,” and African Ameri- can labor leader A. Phil- lip Randolph often said “freedom is never given; it is won.” We should all recognize the power and the ironic truth of those statements and we should pause to remember the enormous price paid by all Ameri- cans in our country’s quest to realize its promise. Juneteenth honors the end of the 400 years of suf- fering African Americans endured under slavery and celebrates the legacy of perseverance that has become the hallmark of the African American com- munity and its struggle for equality. Throughout the 1980s and 90s Juneteenth has continued to enjoy a growing and healthy inter- est from communities and organizations throughout the country. Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth- centered activities. In recent years, a number of national Juneteenth orga- nizations have arisen to take their place alongside older organizations — all with the mission to pro- mote and cultivate knowl- edge and appreciation of African American history and culture. Juneteenth today, cel- ebrates African American freedom while encourag- ing self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not for- gotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing. The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states come on board and form local committees and organiza- tions to coordinate the activities. Congresswoman Sheila Jack- son Lee is a Democrat from Texas’ 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is ranking member of the Homeland Secu- rity Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. WHAT juneTeenTH meAns To me Sheila jackSon lee 46February 2015 | Juneteenth | The Daily News | 51 Fields-Johnson Family Mortuary is Proud to Commemorate The 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth Rev. E. R. And Bridgette Johnson , Owners 3828 Avenue O Galveston, Texas 77550 409-762-8470 Instead of just hanging out on Saturdays I don’t just wear the shirt, I live it. GIVE.ADVOCATE.VOLUNTEER.LIVE UNITED. To find out how you can help create opportunities for a better life for all, visit UNITEDWAYGALVESTON.ORG . Only for new Galveston County subscribers inactive for past 60 days. Must prepay. Service will continue after 3-month offer. Some restrictions may apply. (409) 683-5260 | GalvNews.com Get 3 Months For Just $30 Print + Digital + Coast Monthly Your Community. Your News. In the tradition of educating minds, developing character and encouraging spirituality, the school community of O’Connell College Preparatory School shares in the celebration of the emancipation of African-Americans in Galveston, Texas and the beginning of their struggles for freedom, justice and the pursuit of happiness. O’Connell College Preparatory School 1320 Tremont, Galveston, Texas 77550 409-765-5534 www.oconnellprep.org52 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | February 2015 I f a people group has evolved an eth- nographic dream that other people groups seem to imbibe with such delight, why would they continue being complicit in the marginalization of their own story, whether it’s jubilee, jazz, or hip hop? In the American big story, every point at which the nation has moved closer to the realization of higher heights and deeper depths of the common dream, there stand pairs of heroes in black and white, whose story combines to give us hope that this dream is not a pipe dream. To which we can all say a big hallelujah amen. Maybe this story can shed enough light on the prospect that we will be able to join together for an initial celebration of those aspects of love in the soul of our nation, that perhaps are more real than we had ever believed. In the process of moving from a foggy view of our prospect as beloved America, perhaps the story and song of the descen- dants of American slaves, recalled and remembered, can refresh our hope that the American dream is not only good for all Americans, but may well be our best export, to those places around the globe where people still cry out for freedom. For me, this story started in earnest when, as a 17 year old entering college back in Virginia in the summer of 1948, the elders of my community gave me the assignment of spending a whole week interviewing Gran Pa Jesse, my maternal cousin’s grandfather. He himself had been 10 years old when the slaves were told that President Abraham Lincoln had issued his Eman- cipation Proclamation, and that they were free. He remembered the slaves reaction upon hearing the news. Appre- ciation to the reluctant emancipator, but earth shaking praise to “the Great God Almighty” who done give us, the great jubilee. It’s the story of the great jubilee which has guided my life’s work for the inter- vening 66 years, and the full story can be garnered from my book, “In Love We Trust, Lessons I Learned From Martin Luther King, Jr.,” and “The Jubilee Bible,” published by the American Bible Society in 1999, and revised in 2012. My move to the Houston area 10 years ago has afforded me the privilege of working with clergy, educators, par- ents, and students, the work in which I am privileged to take part through our Jubilee Service Learning Center. This phase, Juneteenth Jubilee, is dedicated to the mission of mobilizing ourselves in Galveston County as an intentional beloved community, in which saving every last child, becomes the very air we breathe, and the work we do, day by day, and every day. As we do this, we will pray together in every Ferguson death valley, visit together with all who care, explore together how we save every child, grow gardens of eco- nomic abundance, and celebrate making and breaking our bread together. Gran Pa Jesse says yes. Dr. Virgil A. Wood lives in Pearland and is Pastor Emeritus of the Pond Street Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island. Juneteenth Jubilee: The evolution of a story too good not be told WHAT juneTeenTH meAns To me Dr. Virgil A. WooD 48WE KNOW COOL 409.935.5300 281.338.8751 TM Since 1979 TACLA537C “The Team For All Seasons” Doctor COOL Professor HEAT $20 OFF Your Next Service * Mention coupon to receive discount 1892 BISHOP’S PALACE 1877 TALL SHIP ELISSA Make your own history, today. VISIT GALVESTONHISTORY.ORGFebruary 2015 | Juneteenth | The Daily News | 53 49Proudly Celebrates Juneteenth 150 Year Anniversary Marking The End of Slavery June 19, 1865 Celebating 161 Yars f Srvice! 3928 BROADWAY GALVESTON, TEXAS 7301 MEMORIAL DRIVE HITCHCOCK, TEXAS 3201 Broadway 409-765-5151 Open Mon. - Sat.: 7am - 7pm Sunday: 10am - 5pm Serving Good Cajun Food Since 1991 C OMMEMORATING HHH OF MAINLAND TOOL Quality tools for any job! 409.948.4497 2830 Texas Avenue, Texas City www.mainlandtool.com We are proud to commemorate Juneteenth 150th Anniversary54 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | February 2015 WHAT JuneTeenTH meAns To me ted ellis F or centuries, art has played an important role in chronicling moments of history, and preserving our culture. Art is an integral part of our livelihood and lifestyle. We know that hiero- glyphics found in caves thousands of years ago illustrate and educate us about how early man lived and survived. Dur- ing the ancient times and the Egyptian period, art was deliberately used as a teaching tool, a visual lan- guage used to record his- tory. Even now, scholars visit museums and cultural institutions to examine priceless art to learn about civilization, its culture and customs. As we approach another historical moment, the sesquicentennial celebra- tion and recognition of Juneteenth, which took place in America on June 19th, 1865, in Galveston. June 19, 2015, marks 150 years that slaves received news of their freedom and independence. Two years after president, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Procla- mation, ending slavery in America. Across the country in many cities and states there will be many cel- ebrations, with picnics, songs and dances, even musicals acknowledging the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth. But will there be any important works of art on display that speaks to the narrative of June- teenth and its importance? The ending of slavery in America, is a sig- nificant turning point in American history and visual art literacy plays a vital role in capturing that history. We should utilize art more effective- ly; leveraging art prop- erly creates awareness and value. Throughout the world, in every major country, there are museums, with priceless treasures of art, individual paintings and sculptures that are worth hundreds of million dol- lars apiece, paintings that act historical documents, and worth millions of dollars. Sometimes before being placed in museums, these highly valued works of art are auctioned off through major auction houses and private sales. “The Card Player,” by Paul Cezanne, currently is the highest sold painting, it was purchased for over $250 million dollars in 2011. Art has intentional value, it serves as an instrument to record history, and it informs and teaches us about our past. And because of its historical importance becomes a valuable tangible asset. As we begin to celebrate and plan out our festivities for the sesquicentennial of Juneteenth with picnics, dances, and concerts, lets include the visual arts as well. Ted T. Ellis is an artist and lives in Houston. Visit www.tellisfineart. com. Artist Ted Ellis has put together a collection of his paintings depicting the African American journey, like his painting “Built On Our Backs,” to create the “The Juneteenth Freedom Project.” JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Ellis paints during the third annual Stringfellow Orchards Juneteenth Family Day in Hitchcock on June 14, 2008. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News 5051www.slcinvestmentservices.com Securities by licensed individuals offered through Investacorp, Inc. a Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA, SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Investacorp Advisory Services, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. SLC Investment Services • 7902 Hwy 6 Suite 100 Hitchcock, TX 77563 • 409-986-3979 • Call today for a portfolio Review • IRAs • Mutual Funds • Annuities • Stocks • Bonds • CDs Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom!150th Anniversary J uneteenth Committee Members planning the 2015 Juneteenth Celebration at the historic Ashton Villa in front of the Texas Juneteenth Lawmaker Statue with Representative Al Edwards, author of the 1979 House Bill 1016 making June 19th a Texas Holiday . Standing left to right are: Galveston County Commissioners Stephen Holmes, Galveston Chamber President Gina Spagnola, DSW Homes Partner Steve Mataro, Corporate Sponsor, Chamber Board Member & Lifetime Juneteenth Achievement Award Recipient, Former State Representative Al Edwards, Texas State Senator Larry Taylor, UTMB Assistant Vice President Douglas Matthews & Juneteenth CoordinatorNext >