5/25/2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (5/25/02)


Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman
             National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
             P. O. Box 29
             Belzoni, MS 39038
             662-247-1471 202-331-8864
             e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com
             web sites: www.Juneteenth.us




(Washington, DC) - The National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) will be hosting the 1st Annual National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "MAAFA" Memorial Service, on Saturday, June 15, 2002, at the Lincoln Memorial, from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. The Memorial Service is part of the 3rd Annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2002 National Holiday Observance, June 13-19, 2002, in Washington, DC. The theme of the memorial service, known as the "MAAFA" (Kiswahili term for "disaster" or "terrible occurrence"), is "A Time to Heal, A Time to Pray." The "MAAFA" was founded by Pastor Johnnie Youngblood, of St. Paul Community Baptist Church, in New York, NY.

"Our country needs healing from what slavery has inflicted upon generations of Americans," states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman of the NJCLC. "Only when we are able to acknowledge the atrocity of slavery, where millions of our ancestors died in the middle passage and thousands more were murdered and lynched before and after the Civil War, can the healing of our nation truly move forward."

The NJCLC, sponsors of the 3rd Annual National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Slavery, on Wednesday, the "19th of June", 2002, in Washington, DC, were key supporters of Congressman Tony Hall's unsuccessful efforts to have Congress "officially apologize for slavery" through the passage of a congressional resolution. The group also supports the establishment of Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Holiday.

Juneteenth, a state holiday in Texas since 1980, through the historic efforts of State Representative Al Edwards, is also recognized as a state holiday observance in Florida, Oklahoma, Delaware, Alaska, Idaho and Iowa. Several more states, including California and Connecticut, have introduced holiday bills. Many more states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi, Vermont, Louisiana, Oregon, Kentucky and Washington have passed resolutions recognizing Juneteenth National Freedom Day. In 1997, the 105th Congress of the United States passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56 officially recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day in America.

Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War. This occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and enforced by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African-American Holiday Observance.

In a recent letter to President Bush, Rev., Dr. Myers encourages him to lead the nation toward racial reconciliation and healing through participation in the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust Memorial Service, the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Slavery, establishment of a Presidential National Juneteenth Commission, issuing of a Presidential Proclamation establishing Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Holiday Observance and addressing the nation during Juneteenth Independence Day at the White House.

President Bush, while acknowledging Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican-American victory celebration at the White House during the first two years of his presidency, continues with what Rev. Myers calls "a policy of no recognition for Juneteenth and the end of slavery at the White House."

"We are praying that President Bush will lead the nation by example and acknowledge the end of slavery in America and the need for healing from the legacy of slavery in America, " states Rev., Dr. Myers. "The White House and the U.S. Capitol were both built through uncompensated slave labor during the tyranny of slavery. As the former Governor of Texas, where Juneteenth began in 1865, surely President Bush understands the significance of the '19th of June' in America."

For information on the 1st Annual National Juneteenth Black Holocaust Memorial Service, the 3rd Annual National Day of Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of Slavery, the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2002 National Holiday Observance and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, contact Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. at 662-247-1471, 202-331-8864, e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com or web site: www.Juneteenth.us



September 9, 2001

The Honorable George Bush
President
United States of America
The White House
Washington, DC 20501


Dear Mr. President:

The National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) will be hosting our 1st Annual National Juneteenth Black Holocaust Memorial Service, on Saturday, June 15, 2002, from 1:00pm-5:00pm, at the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall, in Washington, DC. As the leader of our nation, we invite your participation in this historic Memorial Service through addressing those in attendance. Our country needs healing from the legacy of slavery and your participation in the service will be an important part of that healing process for all Americans.

As with previous correspondence, I encourage you to lead the nation toward racial reconciliation and healing through your participation in the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust Memorial Service, the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Slavery, establishment of a Presidential National Juneteenth Commission, the issuing of a Presidential Proclamation establishing Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Holiday Observance and by addressing the nation during Juneteenth Independence Day from the White House each year.

Mr. President, we are praying for God to give your much grace and wisdom in leading the nation toward true racial reconciliation and healing through the acknowledgment of the end of slavery in America.

In Christ's Love,



Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Founder & Chairman


_____________________________________________________________________________


_____________________________________________________________________________
1/18/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 18, 2002)

CONTACT: Evangelist Helen Sims
662-247-3473

Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Chairman
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
662-247-1471
e-mail:MyersFound@aol.com
web sites: www.19thofJune.com
www.MyersFoundation.net
www.BuffaloFishFestival.com
www.NJCLC.com

DR. M.L. KING, JR. MARCH FOUNDER ANNOUNCES
MISSISSIPPI JUNETEENTH STATE HOLIDAY BILL

(Belzoni, MS) - The 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative March, the oldest observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Mississippi Delta, will feature a speech by Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman of the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign and founder of the march, Monday, January 21, 2002, in Belzoni, MS. Dr. Myers will announce the introduction of the Mississippi Juneteenth Holiday Bill, introduced by State Senator David Jordan (D-Geenwood). Juneteenth, recognized as America's second Independance Day celebration by the Congress of the United States and a holiday in many states, marks the end slavery in America, on the "19th of June", 1865.

"Mississippi needs healing from the leagacy of slavery, brought to the attention of the nation during the state flag issue last year", states Rev., Dr. Myers,Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC). "Dr. King's dream can only be realized through true racial reconciliation that can only come from America dealing truthfully with its slave legacy. The passage of the Mississippi Juneteenth State Holiday Bill is the right step at the right time for Mississippi."

Dr. Myers, Founder of the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing for the Legacy of Slavery, will be leading the first ever National Juneteenth Black Holocaust Memorial Service at the Lincoln Memorial during the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2002 National Holiday Observance, June 13-19, 2002, in Washington DC. "As long as we continue to have a segregated school system in the Mississippi Delta, consisting of predominately white private schools and predominately black public scho ls, Dr King's dream will never be realized," continues Dr. Myers.

The march will begin at 12 noon, on the corner of Rev. George Lee Avenue and Jackson Street, in Belzoni, MS. For more information on the march, contact Evangelist Helen Sims, Director of the We Care Services Multipurpose Facility Building, 305 North Hayden Street, Belzoni, MS, where Dr. Myers will speak at 1:00 pm at 662-247-3473, or Dr. Myers at 662-247-1471, websites: www.19thofJune.com, www.NJCLC.com, www.BuffaloFishFestival.com and www.MyersFoundation.net.