One hundred and fifty years ago, in the midst of a bloody Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln led a courageous Congress to ratify the 13th Amendment and abolish slavery in America. Today, Congress commemorated this significant moment in our nation’s history with a moving ceremony in Emancipation Hall.
Before he was president, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech. In it, he pointedly stated, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.”
This speech, given before the Civil War started, laid the foundation for what I believe was Lincoln’s eventual push to end slavery. And from this, our country continues to learn, evolve, move forward, and grow stronger.
The 13th Amendment set in motion a long, painful struggle for equality that continues to this day. From the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement to the scourge of today’s human trafficking, the fight for equality continues. It is unconscionable that the exploitation and indentured servitude of individuals still exist in our world today – it must be stopped.
I encourage everyone to take time to focus on this moment in our history, to reflect upon the meaning of freedom, liberty, and the value of human life. We must all remain vigilant in protecting the rights of our citizens and the most vulnerable among us - regardless of race, color or creed. By doing so, we do our part in creating a stronger union and a better world.
U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., was first elected to Congress in 2012.
