Butterfield Statement on the 156th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) issued the following statement acknowledging the historic 156th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the United States:

Today marks 156 years since the abolishment of slavery in America by the ratification of the 13th Amendment," said Congressman Butterfield.

"While we celebrate Juneteenth as a National Holiday, it is undisputed that nothing happened on that day to end slavery. It was, and remains, that only upon amending the US Constitution on Dec. 6, 1865 was slavery abolished in this country. To be sure, a National Holiday to celebrate the end of slavery in America is a welcomed event regardless of the day chosen to do it. But as fact, slavery didn't end with either Lincoln's Proclamation on January 1, 1863 or General Grainer's Army Order No. 3 for a part of Texas on June 19, 1865.

"It ended on December 6, 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. That ratification made to the end of chattel slavery and the beginning of freedom for all the law of the land in America. It's the day we call, "Abolition Day." It is that which we celebrate today.

"Changing American society for the better is made by changing the "law"-not by war proclamations and Army orders. So today we honor the bravery of those who amended the Constitution so that we all could be one step closer to a more perfect union."