THE MEMOIRS OF A WRITER: Juneteenth

THE MEMOIRS OF A WRITER

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Juneteenth

WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?

"Juneteenth" or "19th of June", is considered the date when slavery ended in America. Although rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, the announcement of emancipation did not come until Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to
read General Order No. 3 , on the "19th of June", 1865. This was more than Two (2)
And A Half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation http://www.19thofjune.com/archive/09221862.htm.

Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, Idaho, Alaska, Iowa, California, Wyoming, Missouri, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Arkansas http://www.19thofjune.com/archive/052302.htm and also in the District of Columbia http://www.19thofjune.com/archive/052302.htm. Many more states, including Colorado, Oregon, South Dakota, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Montana, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan http://www.19thofjune.com/archive/052302.htm and Wisconsin http://www.19thofjune.com/archive/052302.htm have recognized Juneteenth through state legislative resolutions and Gubernatorial Proclamations.

In 1996, during the 104th Congress, historic legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins (D-MI), House Joint Resolution 125 and passed the House of Representatives, recognizing "Juneteenth as the day of celebrating the end of
slavery in the United States and as the true day of independence for African-Americans in this country."

In 1997, during the 105th Congress, a historic joint Juneteenth resolution was passed by the Congress of the United States through Senate Joint Resolution 11, introduced by Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), and House Joint Resolution 56 , introduced by Congressman J. C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK), recognizing the "19th of June" as Juneteenth Independence Day in America.

The California Juneteenth State Holiday Bill is an excellent bill to review as sample legislation. Also review the Mississippi Juneteenth State Holiday Bill and the Kentucky Juneteenth State Holiday Bill.

When a state passes legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday
observance, the NJOF works with the Juneteenth Organizations in that state to pass legislation for the creation of a State Juneteenth Commission. Through the State Juneteenth Commission, curriculum is developed to teach the history of slavery to freedom through Juneteenth in the public schools, projects are developed to preserve the history of the legacy of slavery to freedom through historic landmarks, monuments and other key historical projects and Juneteenth Celebrations and Festivals are supported through tourism and ecomonic development resources in the state.

The Mississippi Juneteenth Emancipation Commission Bill is an excellent bill to review as sample legislation.

The leader of the "Modern Juneteenth Movement" is the Founder & Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) , Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Rev. Myers, or "DOC" as he is known to his friends, is a Baptist Minister, accomlished jazz musician, family
physician and medical missionary serving in the poorest geograhical area in America, the Mississippi Delta, through the Myers Foundation For Indigent Health Care and Community Development. Also Founder & Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) , "DOC" is a regular visitor to Washington, DC for the annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance. DOC is available for a fund raising concert or speaking engagement in your area!

Cick to sign the: NATIONAL JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY PETITION!
http://www.racedepot.com/jt/admin/petition_form.asp

Cick to sign the: Juneteenth Commemorative Postage Stamp Petition
http://www.racedepot.com/postagestamp/admin/petition_form.asp

¶ 11:43 PM