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Committee backs Juneteenth recognition but member urges historically accurate language
Summary
The House State Government Committee reported House Resolution 499 to recognize June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth Independence Day; Representative Diamond supported recognition but said the resolution's historical language about the Emancipation Proclamation is inaccurate and urged floor amendment; committee vote was 22–4.
Chairwoman's staff read House Resolution 499 to recognize June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth Independence Day in Pennsylvania. Representative Diamond said he supports emancipation and the celebration but objected to wording in the resolution that, in his view, misstated history: he said the transcript language that the Emancipation Proclamation "proclaimed all enslaved Africans to be free" was incorrect and noted "It did not. It only did that in certain rebelling states." Diamond said he would not vote for the resolution in committee unless the language were made historically accurate on the floor, but he indicated willingness to support an amended version.
After brief discussion the committee voted to report the resolution; the clerk announced the resolution passed by a 22 to 4 margin and it will be reported out of committee.
