David Walker introduced today's speaker, Bob Jones who spoke about the topic: "June-teenth is more than Texas." Mr. Jones was a radio personality with the 1440 KEYS morning show for five years. He is a Vietnam veteran and has visited many places, including the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for mission work. He is currently planning a mission trip to South Africa for 2013.
According to Mr. Jones, in Texas history, Juneteenth is known as "Freedom Day" or "Emancipation Day." The holiday commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas. It is recognized as a state holiday in 42 United States. It is interesting to note, however, that Abraham Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation in 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, but slaves in Texas were not aware of this until 2 years later!
Mr. Jones also mentioned that various political movements were formed reflecting opposing views. The Republican party was founded in 1854 with the sole purpose of abolishing slavery under Lincoln's leadership. The Republican platform continued advocating a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. Republicans passed the 14th and 15th amendments for civil rights and voting rights for former slaves. The first blacks in congress were all Republicans. For example, Mississippi's Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first black in congress that was elected United States senator, serving from 1870-1871. He was followed in the Senate by Republican Blanche K. Bruce, also of Mississippi. Joseph Rainey of South Carolina was the first black to enter the House of Representatives--he was also a Republican.
There have been many other notable black Republicans, such as John Roy Lynch (Mississippi), Edward Brooke (Massachusetts), and JC Watts (Oklahoma) who have each presided over the Republican National Convention. Mr. Jones stressed that there has only been one black democrat that has made it up as far as the Vice Chair of the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Jones also discussed how the Ku Klux Klan was formed in 1866 to battle Republicans and blacks--he considers them the "terrorist wing" of the Democratic party. The Democratic Party's history is to support racism and slavery.
Mr. Jones was presented with a "tax shelter" for sharing his time with our club.
