Congressional Leaders

 

 

(Washington, DC) - Leaders of the Campaign to Establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance will return to the nation's capitolfor the annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance hopeful that congress will enact legislation to commemorate Juneteenth National Freedom Day, officially marking the "19th of June" on all calendars as America's 2nd Independence Day. Juneteenth supporters are confident that Senator Roland Burris (D-IL), the only African American member of the U.S. Senate, will lead legislative efforts to make 2010 a special year in acknowledgement of American history.

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 issued 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.

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, Colorado, Arkansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington, Tennessee, Massachusetts, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Vermont, Nebraska, Kansas and Wisconsin. In 2003, the District of Columbia passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a district holiday observance. Many more states, including Utah, Alabama, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Montana, and Maryland have recognized Juneteenth through state legislative resolutions and Gubernatorial Proclamations.

Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) will serve as Chairman of the National Juneteenth Congressional Committee and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), a historic co-sponsor of Juneteenth legislation in the U.S. Senate in 1997, will serve as the U.S. Senate Host for the annual 2010 Congressional Juneteenth Reception.

"We are very much appreciative of the tremendous support Congressman Danny Davis has given Juneteenth," states Dr. Myers, Founder and Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign. "He has been heart and soul of Juneteenth in congress for many years."

"The U.S. Capitol and the White House were built through the uncompensated labor of the ancestors of Americans of African descent during the tyranny of slavery," states Dr. Myers. "We will honor their sacrifice and contributions in building key institutions in America during the observance of Juneteenth in the nation's capitol."

"The official recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day and the end of slavery by state governments and congress are very significant steps in bringing healing to America from the legacy of enslavement," states Rev. Dr. Myers, also Founder and Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) , sponsors of the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement and the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "MAAFA" Memorial Service in Washington, DC. "As the descendents of Americans of African descent, our ancestors were brought to America in chains. This should never be forgotten."

"The National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement, takes place annually on the "3rd Friday of June", during the week of the observance of Juneteenth in America," states Rev. Dr. Myers. "The day was established in recognition of former Congressman Tony Hall's historic efforts to pass a congressional apology for slavery on the "19th of June", 2000, Juneteenth Independence Day. The apology for slavery has always been an essential part of our plans to bring reconciliation and healing from the legacy of enslavement in America trough the "Modern Juneteenth Movement."

Continuing to work toward the passage of legislation for a Congressional Apology For Slavery, ratified by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and perhaps the introduction of a bill that will eventually be signed by President Barack Obama, Juneteenth leaders continue to stress the importance of making any such legislation a part of the annual National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement", where it all began during WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2000.

"The annual observance of Juneteenth provides America with the greatest opportunity to bring about a constructive resolution to the history of the brutal enslavement of Americans of African descent and the racial conflicts that plague the nation," continues Dr. Myers.

Dr. Myers, who was appointed National Advisory Chairman of America's Black Holocaust Museum by the museum's founder, the late Dr. James Cameron, a lynching survivor, was encouraged by the Senate Apology For Lynching passed in his honor during the week of Juneteenth in 2005. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation for an Apology For Slavery and Jim Crow, sponsored by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN). In 2009, the U.S. Senate passed similiar legislation sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).

"Dr. Cameron taught me the importance of forgiveness, patience and reconciliation by his remarkable life," states Dr. Myers. "It lead to a U.S. Senate Apology For Lynching. Congress continues to demonstrate sensitivity to issues surrounding the legacy of enslavement in America."

For information on the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2010 National Holiday Observance and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, call Dr. Myers at 662-247-3364, or 662-247-1471; e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com, web sites: www.Juneteenth.us, www.njclc.com, www.19thofJune.com and www.JuneteenthJazz.com.

 

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Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL)
Sponsor of the 2009 Juneteenth Independence Day
legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives

H. Con. Res. 546 (Passed - 6/15/09)
U.S. House of Representatives recognizes the historic significance
of Juneteenth Independence Day in America!



Senator Roland Burris (D-IL)
Sponsor of the 2009 Juneteenth Independence Day
legislation in the U.S. Senate

S. Res. 198 (Passed - 6/19/09)
U.S. Senate observes the historic significance
of Juneteenth Independence Day in America!

Congressman Danny Davis

Congresswoman Donna Christensen

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Senator Roland Burris