Iowa recognizes Juneteenth as a State Holiday or State Holiday
Observance through a Bill, House Resolution, Senate Resolution or Joint
Resolution
State Senator Jack Holveck (*contact Iowa Juneteenth State Director
Gary Lawson - 515-707-4768 (passed 2002)
___________________________________________________________________________
4/12/2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (4/12/02)
Contact: Gary Lawson
Connect Foundation
Iowa Juneteenth Celebration Committee
515- 707-4768
e-mail: qms2000@aol.com
web site: www.iowajuneteenth.org
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., MD, Chairman
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
662-247-1471
202-331-8864
e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com
web sites: www.19thofJune.com
www.njclc.com
www.njof.org
www.juneteenthconvention.com
Iowa Governor Vilsack Signs Juneteenth
National Freedom Day Bill into Law
(Des Moines, IA) - On Thursday, April 11, 2002, Iowa Governor Tom
Vilsack (D-IA) signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a state
holiday in Iowa. The holiday, known as Juneteenth National Freedom Day,
will be observed on the third Saturday of June. "This is a great day
for Iowans," states Gary Lawson, Chairman of the Iowa Juneteenth
Committee. "We've been working toward this holiday for more than ten
years!"
The Republican controlled House and Senate unanimously passed
the historic legislation, establishing Iowa as the seventh state to
recognize Juneteenth as an unpaid state holiday observance. Lawson
commended the Iowa General Assembly for the warm reception and
assistance he received from both Democrats and Republicans. "This is a
significant gesture by Iowa when considering that African-Americans
comprise just about 2% of the state's population," said Lawson. "This
act is a great stride toward bringing all Americans together to
celebrate our common bond of freedom."
Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes the day, on June
19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union Major General Gordon Granger
announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest, the last major
vestige of slavery following the end of the Civil War, through the
issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. This occurred more than two
and a half years after the 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.
Juneteenth is a state holiday in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware,
Alaska, Idaho and now Iowa.
"Efforts are continuing to establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday
in America," states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr, MD, Chairman of the
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign. "We are urging President Bush to
issue a Presidential Proclamation establishing Juneteenth as a National
Holiday in America, without the burden on taxpayers as a paid federal
holiday. As the former governor of Texas, where Juneteenth began as a
paid state holiday, President Bush should understand the historic
opportunity Juneteenth brings to all Americans together to promote
racial reconciliation and healing through the celebration of the end of
slavery in America."
Gary Lawson, who plans to lead a delegation of Iowans to the
nation's capitol to participate in the National Juneteenth Rally at the
US Capitol on Wednesday, the "19th of June", 2002, looks forward to
joining Dr. Myers and thousands of Juneteenth celebrants from across
America. "I'm proud to be from Iowa," states Lawson. "Iowa is proud to
recognize Juneteenth in America. It's time for Juneteenth to become a
National Holiday in America."
For information on the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2002 National
Holiday Observance and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign call
Dr. Myers at 202-331-8864, 662-247-1471, e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com,
web sites: www.19thofJune.com, www.njclc.com or www.njof.org. For
information on the 5th Annual National Juneteenth Convention & Expo
contact John Thompson of Juneteenth America, Inc. at 909-988-5810,
e-mail: juneteentham@earthlink.net, web site:
www.JuneteenthConvention.com.