New York, NY (June 19, 2022) — Committee of 100, a non-profit membership organization of prominent Chinese Americans, today issued the following statement on the celebration of Juneteenth. The federal holiday represents the events of June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger was deployed to Galveston, Texas to inform the community that the Civil War had ended, and that slavery had been abolished after nearly 250 years. This day marks the real end of slavery in the United States.

“Our nation still has much work to do to fulfill the promise of creating a country that guarantees life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or religion,” said Zhengyu Huang, President of Committee of 100. “As the United States commemorates Juneteenth as the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, the fight toward true equity and justice continues in all marginalized communities. On this day of celebration and reflection, we should renew our will and commitment to fighting racism and working toward equity for all.”

With the rise of racial animosity towards the Black and Asian communities in recent years, Committee of 100 urges all to reflect on lessons learned from our common history. In the late 1880s to early 1900s, leaders from both communities organized and worked together to overcome oppressive laws, such as those enacted during the Jim Crow era and the anti-Chinese legislation following the Gold Rush. U.S. history shows that when minority groups of all kinds work together, they can make significant progress towards equality for all. 

About Committee of 100

Committee of 100 is a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy. For over 30 years, Committee of 100 has served as the preeminent organization committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between the United States and Greater China. Visit https://www.committee100.org/ and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.

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Contact:

Charles Zinkowski

Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications

Committee of 100

czinkowski@committee100.org