06/19/2026
“A new birth of freedom”. These were the words shared by President Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg address. Lincoln was addressing our principles of Life and Liberty. What started in 1776 was now being fulfilled on June 19th, 1865. As we commemorate Juneteenth, let us not forget the Republican Party – the Party of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. These men, and many others, fought for equality and liberty for all. These are the principles on which the Republican Party was founded. As the Chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas, who happens to be black, I am proud of this Party's heritage and the origin and meaning of Juneteenth. I am thankful to live in a great nation that lives to the high ideals and aspirations set forth in its founding documents. As Republicans in the 21st century, let us continue to follow the example of the first Republicans and work to bring our country together and push aside the racial divide that tears at the very fabric of our nation. Happy Juneteenth!
Joseph K. Wood
Chairman
Republican Party of Arkansas