===========================================================================
Presidential Message, Juneteenth 2008
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 19, 2008

Presidential Message, Juneteenth 2008

ÿÿWhite House News


June 2008

I send greetings to those celebrating Juneteenth.

On Juneteenth, we commemorate the arrival of Major General Gordon Granger
in Galveston, Texas, and his declaration that slavery had been abolished
and the blessings of liberty were finally extended to African Americans.

On this occasion, we recognize the many contributions that African
Americans have made to our great Nation and honor the legacy of diversity
that America has embraced. Today is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to
confronting injustice wherever we find it and upholding the dignity of all
people. By doing so, we protect the freedom and democratic ideals that will
keep America strong for generations to come.

Laura and I send our best wishes on this memorable occasion.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #
===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080619-1.html