PRESS RELEASE

Mississippi Now the 36th State to Recognize Juneteenth
www.NationalJuneteenth.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/25/10)

Contact: Rev.. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M..D., Founder & Chairman
              National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
              National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
              National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
              National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)
              662-247-3364    662-247-1471
              e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com
              web site: www.NationalJuneteenth.com
                            www.19thofJune.com 
                            www.Juneteenth.us
                            www.JuneteenthJazz.com 
                            www.njclc.com

                          

 

Mississippi Now the 36th State to Recognize Juneteenth

 

Mississippi's Rev. Dr. Ronald Myers Glad for State Acknowledgement of Juneteenth

 

Sen. Willie Simmons Champions Juneteenth Legislation in Mississippi 

(Jackson, MS) - National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign Chairman and Belzoni, Mississippi resident,Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., was glad to hear the news about the passage of S.C.R. 605 by the  Mississippi Legislature to recognize the "19th of June" as Juneteenth Freedom Day. The Magnolia State is now the 36th state to celebrate the    of end end of end of enslavement in America. 

"Mississippi 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, Ohio, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana 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 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.

 

Throughout recent years, Juneteenth has been celebrated in cities and towns across Mississippi, including Jackson, Greenville, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Belzoni, Cleveland, Meridian, Vicksburg, Tchula, Columbus, Gulfport, Natchez, Biloxi, Brandon, Louisville, McComb, Holly Springs, D'Iberville, Waynesboro, Tupelo and other communities.  

"We especially appreciate Senator Willie Simmons for sponsoring the legislation that has made all of this possible," states Dr. Myers. "We also want to thank Rep. Rufus Straughter and Rep. Bryant Clark for their persistent efforts in supporting Juneteenth at the state capitol."

 

Now that Juneteenth is recognized in Mississippi, Juneteenth supporters hope Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) will co-sponsor legislation in the U.S. Senate to make Juneteenth Independence Day a National Day of Observance through legislation that will be introduced by Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) in April of 2010.

 

In a recent letter to Rev. Myers, concerning S.R. 19, introduced in the U.S. Senate in 2009, Sen Thad Cochran states, "I appreciate the information regarding the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. Senator Burris' resolution seeking recognition and support of a National Juneteenth Observance day unanimously passed in the Senate." Rev. Myers is hopeful that congress will pass similiar legislation this year to place Juneteenth on all calendars.

"We are not asking for a paid federal holiday, which will be a burden on tax-payers, but a National Day of Observance like Flag Day or Patriot Day," states Dr. Myers. "As more states like Mississippi pass Juneteenth legislation, with only fourteen states remaining, we hope that President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress will finally establish a day for the observance and celebration of the end of slavery in America."

 

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 to provide advice on how the annual observance of Juneteenth Independence Day can bring all Americans together with the goal of promoting greater understanding and racial healing. A similar petition drive was successful in getting the USPS to

issue a Juneteenth "Flags of Freedom" postage stamp in 2012.

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

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2010

 

By: Senator Willie Simmons

 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 605

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUNE 19 AS "JUNETEENTH

FREEDOM DAY."

 

 

      WHEREAS, the date of June 19 is known as "Juneteenth," and it is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States; and

 

      WHEREAS, the commemoration of June 19th as Juneteenth specifically refers to the fact that, even though President Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the joyous news of freedom from slavery did not reach certain Americans in Galveston, Texas, until June 19, 1865; and

 

      WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates freedom from slavery in America, emphasizes education and achievement, and is a time for reflection and rejoicing in the African-American experience; and

 

      WHEREAS, the celebration of Juneteenth is inclusive of all races, ethnicities, religions and nationalities, in that citizens across our country join hands in acknowledging a period in our history that has influenced our society--a great society that advances the ideals of liberty and justice for all;

 

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize June 19 as "Juneteenth Freedom Day" in recognition and commemoration of June 19, 1865, as the date of the communication to former slaves of African descent of the fact that

slavery had ended in America, and as a day when the ideals of liberty and justice for all citizens is celebrated. We acknowledge that this day is a day of commemoration, recognition acknowledge that this day is a day of commemoration, recognition and observation and not to be recognized as a legal holiday.

 

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this resolution be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

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