Alaska Contemplates Officially Recognizing Juneteenth as a Legal Holiday
On the occasion of Juneteenth in Alaska, Governor Mike Dunleavy is contemplating the decision to approve a bill that would establish it as a holiday-verifythis-com/” title=”Pennsylvania is the only state that recognizes Flag Day as a legal holiday – VERIFYThis.com”>legal holiday in the state.
The proposed Senate Bill 22 is currently under consideration by Governor Dunleavy, who has until early July to make a final decision. If he signs the bill into law, Juneteenth would officially become a holiday in Alaska starting from 2025.
Juneteenth, a combination of “June” and “nineteenth,” signifies the celebration of emancipation for enslaved individuals in the United States. Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized the importance of recognizing Juneteenth on par with other significant holidays.
Senator Gray-Jackson, who represents Anchorage’s Midtown area, highlighted the significance of Juneteenth by comparing it to the Fourth of July, emphasizing its role in commemorating true freedom for slaves.
This holiday marks the moment when the final enslaved individuals in the Confederacy were informed of their emancipation. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, it took until June 19, 1865, for enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, to learn of their freedom. Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.
In 2021, President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday, triggering renewed efforts to establish it as a state holiday in Alaska. Senator Gray-Jackson’s persistence led to the reintroduction and subsequent passing of the Juneteenth bill in the State Senate in 2023.
Advocates of the bill aim to designate Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees, contingent on the specifics outlined in union contracts. With over half of the states in the U.S. already recognizing Juneteenth as an official holiday, Anchorage marked June 19 as a paid municipal holiday last year, alongside Indigenous People’s Day.
While some individuals have voiced concerns about the economic implications of adopting Juneteenth as a paid holiday, proponents like Celeste Hodge Growden from the Alaska Black Caucus stress the importance of commemorating freedom and reflecting on progress made towards achieving a more inclusive society.
Despite differing opinions on the bill, advocates believe that recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday is a step toward creating a community akin to the vision of peace and reconciliation championed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Senator Gray-Jackson has extended an invitation to Governor Dunleavy to sign the bill at the Martin Luther King Jr. Living Memorial, symbolizing a commitment to honoring historical milestones. The governor’s three options regarding the bill include signing it, vetoing it, or allowing it to pass into law without his signature.
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Author : usa-news
Publish date : 2024-06-19 14:48:42
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