quorum call:

mr. burris: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from illinois. mr. burris: madam president, i ask that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. burris: thank you, madam president. i'd like to speak on morning business, madam president. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. burris: madam president, next month, on the 4th of july, this nation will pause to remember the moment when we asserted our independence and declared ourselves free from

tyranny. it is a day that all americans hold dear, and rightfully so. but on the 19th of this month -- which will be tomorrow -- many in this country observe another independence day it echoes the ideals laid down in that first declaration. it celebrates liberation from a more oppressive tyranny. it marks a new birth of freedom of the slaves who had been excluded from the promise of the american dream. that is why i am introducing this senate resolution observing the historical significance of that day -- juneteenth independence day. slavery officially ended in the confederate states of america when abraham lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation on

january 1, 1863. many slaves did not learn of their freedom until much later. finally on june 19 of 1865, more than two years after the emancipation proclamation, union soldiers led by major general gordon granger arrived in galveston, texas. they brought news that most had been almost unbelievable to all who heard it, especially those who had known no existence outside of bondage. a civil war was over, they announced, and all slaves were free. from that day on, former slaves in the southwest celebrated june 19 as the anniversary of their emancipation.

over the past 144 years, juneteenth independence day celebrations have been held to honor african-american freedom. this date has come to hold even greater significance. throughout the world juneteenth celebrates lift up the spirit of freedom and rail against the forces of oppression. at long last juneteenth is beginning to be recognized as both a national event and a global celebration. end of slavery marks a major step toward achieving equal rights for all americans regardless of race, creed, or color. just as the 4th of july marks the beginning of a journey that continues even today, we must not forget that the long march to freedom that started on june 19 is far from over. our progress along this path and our progress as a nation can be

measured in many ways. but none so dramatic as a popular election of an african-american president to the presidency of the united states of america. america has come a long way since that first juneteenth. and yet, madam president, we still have a long way to go. juneteenth should be a day of reflection, a day to remember those who came before us and fought and suffered and died. but it also -- it should also be a day of action, a day for all of us to stand together and hold up the liberties we hold so dear, a day to look ahead to the future to continue to fight for freedom and equality, a day to think of our children as much as our forefathers. together we must ensure that our sons and daughters know an

america that is even more free, more fair, and more equal than the america that we live in today. when we leave this place, let us share in the joy of those who greeted general granger's arrival into galveston on that fine june day more than 140 years ago, and let us stand with our forefathers to continue this journey in our own lives. madam president, i urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this resolution, observing the historical significance of juneteenth independence day. thank you, madam president. i yield the floor. mr. specter: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from pennsylvania. mr. specter: madam president, i've been asked on behalf of the leader to announce the unanimous consent agreement that no further points of order be in order during the pendency of the conference report to accompany

h.r. 2346, and at 4:40 p.m. the senate proceed to vote on adoption of the conference report with the time until then equally divided and controlled in the usual form. that is the consent request which would have been offered earlier, but the senator had the floor so it was not. the hour of 4:40 having arrived, that is the time specified for the commencement of a vote. i thank the chair and yield the floor. the presiding officer: is there objection to the request? hearing no objection, it is so ordered. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the question is on the adoption of the conference report. the clerk will call the roll.

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