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http://www.nationaljuneteenth.com/Maryland.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (1/28/12)
Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.,
Founder & Chairman
National Juneteenth Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)
662-392-2016 662-247-1471
e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com
web sites: www.NationalJuneteenth.com
Linda Hinnant
Maryland Juneteenth Committee
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
Fort Washington, MD
240-244-5356
e-mail: lindahinnant@verizon.net
State Rep. Melvin Stukes
Frederick Doouglass
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Maryland to Become 41st State to
Recognize Juneteenth as a State Holiday
Rep. Stukes Champions
Maryland Juneteenth Legislation
Home State of Abolitionist Frederick Douglass
to Recognize Juneteenth Independence Day
(Annapolis, Maryland) - Maryland, the home state of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, may soon become the 41st state to officially recognize Juneteenth Independence Day as a state holiday or state holiday observance. State Representative Melvin Stukes recently introduced HB 165, "An Act concerning State Government - Commemorative Days - Juneteenth National Freedom" requiring the Governor to "annually to proclaim a certain day as Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in Maryland.
"We especially thank Rep. Stukes for leading the effort for Juneteenth to be recognized in the home state of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass," states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman of the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign and the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF). "Douglass, who gave the greatest oration ever spoken on the subject of enslavement, 'What to the American Slave Is the 4th of July', should be honored across America whenever Juneteenth is celebrated by the reading of this historic ground breaking speech."
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 last southern state in rebellion 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.
A special hearing on HB 165 will take place before the House Economic Matters Committee, on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 1:00pm, in the Lowe House Building, in Annapolis, Maryland. Rep. Stukes encourages anyone in support of the
legislation to please attend. Support letters or comments must be submitted as soon as possible to Rep. Stukes at 410-841-3544, 301-858-3544, 410-841-3384 (fax) or e-mail: melvin.stukes@house.state.md.us.
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