“We are gathered here in a house built by enslaved people. We are footsteps away from where President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. And we are here to witness President Joe Biden establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. We have come far. And we have far to go. But today is a day of celebration. It is not only a day of pride, it is also a day for us to reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to action.”
"So many in our nation — too many in our nation — have deeply felt the passage of time these last 20 years. Every birthday your loved one missed. Every holiday. Every time her favorite team won, or his favorite song came on the radio. Every time you’ve tucked in your children or dropped them off at college. You have felt every day, every week, and every year that has passed these 20 years. So, please know your nation sees you, and we stand with you, and we support you."
- Vice President Kamala Harris
Compassion
"We will face new challenges — challenges that we could not have seen 20 years ago. We will seize opportunities that were at one time unimaginable. And we know that what lies ahead is not certain. It is never certain; it has never been. But I know this: If we do the hard work of working together as Americans, if we remain united in purpose, we will be prepared for whatever comes next."
- Vice President Kamala Harris
Hope
"After today, it is my hope and prayer that we continue to honor their courage, their conviction, with our own; that we honor their unity by strengthening our common bonds, by strengthening our global partnerships, and by always living out our highest ideals. This work will not be easy; it never has been. And it will take all of us believing in who we are as a nation. And it will take all of us going forth to work together."
- Vice President Kamala Harris
Hope
"I believe a child going without an education is a crime."
- Vice President Kamala Harris
Education
"The Lord is sending more exceptional spirits to earth. As a body they excel the average capacity of their forebears. Their potential for personal growth and positive contribution is enormous."
- Elder Richard G. Scott
Empowerment
"As leaders of the Church, there isn’t anything in this world we wouldn’t do that’s right for you. We have great confidence in you. You are not just ordinary young men and young women. You are choice spirits, many of you having been held back in reserve for almost 6,000 years to come forth in this day, at this time, when the temptations, responsibilities, and opportunities are the very greatest."
- President Ezra Taft Benson
Empowerment
"Women challenge the status quo because we are never it."
- Cindy Gallop
Empowerment
"We don’t just sit around and wait for other people. We just make, and we do."
- Arlan Hamilton
Empowerment
"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness."
- Oprah Winfrey
Empowerment