Indiana Becomes the 34th State to Recognize
Juneteenth as a State Holiday Observance

Rep. William Crawford Champions Indiana Juneteenth Legislation

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana has become he 34th state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance thanks to legislation introduced by State Representative William Crawford and passed by the Indiana legislature.

"Indiana joins Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Delaware, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, California, Wyoming, Illinois, Missouri, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington State, Tennessee, Massachusetts, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Vermont, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the District of Columbia in recognizing the end of enslavement in America," states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman of the National Juneteeenth Holiday Campaign and the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF).

Juneteenth commemorates the day when slaves in the last geographic area in America where slavery existed learned of their freedom. This took place on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, when Union General Gordon Granger read General Order #3, announcing that "all slaves are free" by Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, and issued on January 1, 1863. It took over two and a half years for the news to travel to southwest Texas.

"We especially appreciate the efforts of State Representative William Crawford for sponsoring legislation that has made all of this possible," states Elder Raymond Christian, Director of the Indiana Juneteenth Holiday Campaign for the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF). "Now that Juneteenth is a state holiday observance in Indiana, I and other Juneteenth supporters in the state will request that Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. Evan Byah (D-IN) co-sponsor legislation in the U.S. Senate to make Juneteenth a National Day of Observance, that will be introduced by lead sponsor Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL)."

Indianapolis native, Dr. Larry Ridley, master jazz bassist and Executive Director of the African American Jazz Caucus (AAJC), will be honored for his support for Juneteenth legislation at the annual Indianapolis Juneteenth Jazz & Heritage Festival on June 24th, at the Madame C.J. Walker Theatre Center. The festival is part of "June Is Black Music Month!" - CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ - "Preserving Our African Amerian Jazz Legacy!" and is in partnership with the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Prsenters (NAJJP).

"As more states like Indiana pass Juneteenth legislation, we hope that President Barack Obama will finally establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance by issuing a Presidential Proclamation,"This is another significant development in our campaign to establish Juneteenth a National Day of Observance in America," states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D."

Thousands of petitions have been forwarded to the White House urging President Obama to make Juneteenth a National Day of Observance and to establish a Presidential National Juneteenth Commission.

"The official recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day and the end of enslavement by state governments and congress are very significant steps in bringing healing to America from the legacy of enslavement," states Rev., Dr. Myers, also Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) and the Founder and Director of the National Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement during the annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance.

For information on the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, the National Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement, National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP) or the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance, contact Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. at 662-247-3364 or e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com or web sites: www.NationalJuneteenth.com, www.Juneteenth.us, www.19thofJune.com and www.njclc.com.

For information on the African American Jazz Caucus (AAJC) contact Dr. Larry Ridley at 212-979-0304, e-mail LHRidley1937@gmail.com, web site: www.aajc.us.