Call for Establishment of Juneteenth as a National Observance

The Chairman of the PaPa, Dr. Robert S. Pritchard, who has been for decades in the leadership calling for the establishment of a Juneteenth National Day Observance, was represented by the PaPa’s Media Specialist, Mr. George Newcomb, for this year’s laying of the wreath at Lincoln Statue in Lincoln Park in Northeast DC. The event, which was preceded by a service at the Lincoln Park United Methodist Church presided over by Rev. Calvin Mathews, was organized by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and is part of a Campaign to Establish Juneteenth as a National Day of Observance. From June 13-19, 2012, Juneteenth leaders from across the nation met with members of congress to support making Juneteenth a national observance and celebration of the end of enslavement in America.

Having established the first Black History Month Observance in February 1965, Dr. Pritchard has continually expressed the importance of establishing Juneteenth as a National Day Observance as a vehicle to bring healing and reconciliation through an act of national contrition for the injustice inflicted on African-Americans during slavery. In collaborating in past events with Dr. Ronald Myers, the Chairman of the NJOF, Dr. Pritchard and the Panamerican-Panafrican Association look forward to a time when our nation will recognize Juneteenth as a national event.

Dr. Myers stated, “We are not asking for a paid federal holiday, but a national day of observance, like Flag Day and Patriot Day.”

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. Texas was the last state in rebellion to allow slavery 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 40 states. These states include Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Minnesota, 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, Ohio, Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Maine, Nevada and Alabama. In 2003, the District of Columbia passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a district holiday observance. Other states, including Utah, South Dakota, Pennsylvania and Montana have recognized Juneteenth through state legislative resolutions and Gubernatorial Proclamations.

Since 1997, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed seven joint resolutions recognizing Juneteenth. In 2011, Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) sponsored H.R. 323 and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) sponsored of S.R. 211, “Observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day“ in America.

“We are very much appreciative of the tremendous support Congressman Danny Davis and Senator Carl Levin have given Juneteenth,” states Dr. Myers. “They have been the 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 enslavement,” states Dr. Myers. “The leaders of the ‘Modern Juneteenth Movement’ will continue to honor their contributions in building key American institutions during the annual observance of Juneteenth in the nation’s capitol.”

In 2010, the U.S. Congress honored the slaves who built the U.S. Capitol with the placement of a historic plaque honoring Philip Reed, an enslaved Black man with a critical role in erecting the Statue of Freedom that crowns the Capitol dome. Reed was the only one who could figure out, when the statue arrived in Washington from Italy, how to disassemble its plaster mold and cast it in bronze.

“The successful effort to honor these great Americans of African descent who built the U.S. Capitol was initiated by the late Lula Briggs Galloway, Founder & President of the National Association of Juneteenth Linage (NAJL),” states Dr. Myers, former Chairman of the Board of the NAJL. “Her historic work at the U.S. Capitol with former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK) has resulted in the successful placement of an important historic enslavement legacy marker by congress.”

In a recent letter, Dr. Myers has requested that President Obama honor the enslaved Americans who built the White House by hosting a Juneteenth Celebration at the White House in June.

“Juneteenth has never been celebrated in the White House,” states Dr. Myers. “We hope that President Obama will agree to celebrate freedom and honor the Americans of African descent who were not free when the White House was built during the tyranny of enslavement.”

Dr. Myers has also requested that President Obama issue a Presidential Proclamation to recognize Juneteenth. Thousands of petitions have been forwarded to the White House over recent years supporting Dr. Myers’ request. “As a U.S. Senator from Illinois, President Obama successfully sponsored legislation to recognize Juneteenth Independence Day in the U.S. Senate in 2006,” states Dr. Myers. “We hope that not only will President Obama issue a Juneteenth Proclamation and support legislation to make Juneteenth Independence Day a National Day of Observance, but also lead the nation in healing from the legacy of enslavement.”

Former French President M. Jacques Chirac spoke passionately to his nation during the first National Commemorative Day of Remembrance Regarding African Slavery and it’s Abolition, on May 10, 2006. Dr. Myers hopes that President Obama will also one day lead America in healing and reconciliation from the legacy of enslavement during the week of the observance of Juneteenth.

“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 descendants 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 the result of the second historic introduction of Congressional Apology For Slavery legislation by former Congressman Tony Hall (D-OH) on Juneteenth, the ’19th of June’, 2000. As the leader of the ‘Modern Juneteenth Movement’ in America, I was honored to work closely with Congressman Hall.”

Since that time, several states have passed apology for slavery legislation including Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and Florida. The U.S. House of Representatives Apology For Slavery and Jim Crow, sponsored by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN), was passed in 2008. Similar legislation that was passed in the U.S. Senate sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) in 2009. However, it was not passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and failed as a concurring, joint congressional resolution.

“We hope to finally have legislation passed with both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate concurring,” states Dr. Myers. “Perhaps the legislation can include a signature by President Barack Obama.”