WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) released the following statement on the passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act commemorating Juneteenth as a federal holiday:

“The passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, commemorating Juneteenth as a federal holiday ahead of its 156th anniversary, is a long overdue recognition of the generational pain and suffering Black communities have endured and the incredible importance of this day.

“This comes at a critical time. Across our country, we are seeing efforts to suppress the teaching of our history. This now federal holiday will serve as a powerful reminder that we cannot run from our past and must educate future generations on Black history.

“This legislation is just a first step in addressing the horrific ills of our country. We need to transform the lives of our Black neighbors in a bold and meaningful way—from passing the For the People Act to the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, there is much more to be done. We need to go beyond commemoration and take action that will truly address the continuous, systemic impacts of slavery.”