Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, 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, Kansas and Wisconsin. In 2003, the District of Columbia passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a district holiday observance. Many more states, including Utah, Alabama, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Montana, and Maryland have recognized Juneteenth through state legislative resolutions and Gubernatorial Proclamations.


"We are very much appreciative of the tremendous support Congressman Danny Davis has given Juneteenth," states Dr. Myers, Founder and Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign. "He has been 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 slavery," states Dr. Myers. "We will honor their sacrifice and contributions in building key institutions in America during the observance of Juneteenth in the nation's capitol."

"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 descendents 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 established in recognition of former Congressman Tony Hall's historic efforts to pass a congressional apology for slavery on the "19th of June", 2000, Juneteenth Independence Day. The apology for slavery has always been an essential part of our plans to bring reconciliation and healing from the legacy of enslavement in America through the "Modern Juneteenth Movement."

Continuing to work toward the passage of legislation for a Congressional Apology For Slavery, ratified by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and perhaps the introduction of a bill that will eventually be signed by President Barack Obama, Juneteenth leaders continue to stress the importance of making any such legislation a part of the annual "National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement", where it all began during WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2000.

"The annual observance of Juneteenth provides America with the greatest opportunity to bring about a constructive resolution to the history of the brutal enslavement of Americans of African descent and the racial conflicts that plague the nation," continues

Dr. Myers. Dr. Myers, who was appointed National Advisory Chairman of America's Black Holocaust Museum by the museum's founder, the late Dr. James Cameron, a lynching survivor, was encouraged by the Senate Apology For Lynching passed in his honor during the week of Juneteenth in 2005. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation for an Apology For Slavery and Jim Crow, sponsored by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN). In 2009, the U.S. Senate passed similiar legislation sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).

"Dr. Cameron taught me the importance of forgiveness, patience and reconciliation by his remarkable life," states Dr. Myers. "It lead to a U.S. Senate Apology For Lynching. Congress continues to demonstrate sensitivity to issues surrounding the legacy of enslavement in America."  Read More






  Rep. Danny Davis                Rep. Donna Christensen   Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee                Rep. Barbara Lee             Sen. Roland Burris          Rep. Bobby Scott


S. Res. 198 (Passed - 6/19/09)
U.S. Senate observes the historic significance
of Juneteenth Independence Day in America!    Read More                                

__________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE - National Juneteenth Board Meeting & Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (9/29/09)

Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman
             National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
             662-247-1471    662-247-3364
             e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com
             web site: www.Juneteenth.us
             web site: www.njclc.com

             John Thompson, Executive Producer
             National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)
             Juneteenth America, Inc.
             909-621-9707
             e-mail: johnharold@juneteenthamerica.us
             web sites: www.JuneteenthJazz.com     www.JuneteenthAmerica.us

             Lestine Byars
             Board of Directors
             National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
             773-684-6070
             e-mail: lbyarsciess@aol.com
             web sites: www.19thofJune.com






(Chicago, Illinois) - Chicago native, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., leader of the Campaign to establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance will return home to host the National Juneteenth Board Meeting and Conference, October 16-18, 2009, at the "All New" Hilton Oak Lawn Hotel, October 16-18, 2009. Dr. Myers is hopeful that congress will enact legislation to commemorate Juneteenth National Freedom Day, officially marking the "19th of June" on all calendars as America's 2nd Independence Day. Juneteenth leaders are confident that Senator Roland Burris (D-IL), the only African American member of the U.S. Senate, will lead legislative efforts to make 2010 a special year in acknowledgement of American history.

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. This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States 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 32 states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, 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, Kansas and Wisconsin. In 2003, the District of Columbia passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a district holiday observance. Many more states, including Utah, Alabama, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Montana, and Maryland have recognized Juneteenth through state legislative resolutions and Gubernatorial Proclamations.

"We are very much appreciative of the tremendous support Congressman Danny Davis has given Juneteenth," states Dr. Myers, Founder and Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC). "As Chairman of the National Juneteenth Congressional Committee, Congressman Davis has been heart and soul of Juneteenth in congress for many years."

"Juneteenth is a freedom celebration significant for all Americans and the forerunner to the 13th Amendment, " states John Thompson, Founder & CEO of Juneteenth America, Inc. host of the annual National Juneteenth Convention and Expo, in Ontario, California. "Juneteenth brings all Americans together to celebrate the end of slavery and freedom," continues Thompson. "Juneteenth is America's 2nd Independence Day."

Thousands of petitions have been forwarded to the White House urging President Obama to make Juneteenth a national holiday 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 the Founder and Director of the National Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement and the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "Maafa" Memorial Service during the annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance.

Juneteenth Jazz will also be featured at the conference. As the National Juneteenth Jazz Artist, minister, physician and jazz musician, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., performs across the country promoting "June is Black Music Month! - Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz!"  Founder of the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP), Myers also conducts youth jazz workshops and lectures on African American jazz legacy. The NAJJP is the sponsor of several Juneteenth Jazz Legacy Concerts and African American Art Exhibits during Black Music Month, including the historic African-American jazz legacy cities of Kansas Cit, Mo and Omaha, NB.

For more information and photos of the National Juneteenth Observance Washington Celebration  Click Here