To: National Juneteenth Network, Supporters & Friends
From: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
www.NationalJuneteenth.com
662-392-2016
Date: 2/28/13
RE: The "Modern Juneteenth Movement" and the 150th Year Anniversary of the
Emancipation Proclamation
Lessons learned from our historic initiative to gain recognition for the enslaved
who built the U.S. Capitol
As we prepare for our 2013 Juneteenth Celebrations across America and around the
world, our focus remains on the passage of legislation in the U.S. Congress to establish Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Day of Observance, like Flag Day or Patriot Day.
2013 is also the year of the 150th year anniversary of the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. We look forward to celebrating this historic year during our 2013 Juneteenth Celebrations. However, be prepared for those who may not understand or respect our efforts to preserve America 's legacy of enslavement to freedom by uplifting the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation through the celebration of Juneteenth.
As you know, it took over 2 and 1/2 years for the news of freedom to be announced in Galveston, TX by Union General Gordon Granger on the "19th of June", Juneteenth, 1865. As we prepare for our 2013 WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance and 2013 GALVESTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance, will look forward to the 150th year anniversary of the celebration of Juneteenth in 2015.
Our 30 U.S. Senate co-sponsors of S.J.R. 45 in 2012, sponsored by former Texas U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, as well as the other members of the U.S. Senate are being contacted and urged to support similar legislation in 2013.
TELL YOUR TWO U.S. SENATORSTO SUPPORT S.J.R. 45!
(Legislation in congress to make Juneteenth Independence Day a National Day of Observance, like Flag Day or Patriot Day)
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas)
Sponsor of 2012 legislation in the U.S. Senate to make
Juneteenth Independence Day a National Day of Observance,
like Flag Day or Patriot Day
Houston Chronicle
Juneteenth moving from Texas stage to national spotlight
By Robert Stanton June 15, 2012
Thanks to your support, there could be as many as 45 states that will pass legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, state holiday observance or special day of observance by the "19th of June", Juneteenth, 2013.
Please keep in mind it was the leadership of our "Modern Juneteenth Movement" who initiated efforts to have the enslaved who built the U.S. Capitol acknowledged and honored. Years later, none of the leadership of our movement were even invited to attend the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol for the unveiling of the plaque recognizing our ancestors contributions.
As I hear from many of you across the nation concerning the celebration of the 150th year anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation, it appears that our "grass roots" historic contributions to preserving the legacy of freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation by celebrating Juneteenth will possibly be ignored and disrespected by many in our own community.
Click hear for news article
Congress Honors Slaves Who Built U.S. Capitol
Essence Magazine
By Cynthia Gordy June 17, 2010
Please feel free to contact me to provide assistance and support for your 2013 Juneteenth Celebrations and the 150th year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
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Chairman's Statement Regarding
JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY
January 24, 2013
Join the National Juneteenth Observance on FACEBOOK!
Statement by
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)
www.NationalJuneteenth.com
Sponsors of the annual
WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance
PRESS RELEASE
GALVESTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance
PRESS RELEASE
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom from enslavement in America . It is observed on the "19th of June" and commemorates the date, June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, when Union General Gordon Granger issued General Order #3 that "all slaves are free" through the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln. It took over two and a half years for the news of freedom to be announced by General Granger in the American southwest, in Texas, the last southern state in rebellion to allow slavery following the end of the Civil War.
Our ancestors, Americans of African descent, trapped in the tyranny of enslavement, celebrated when they learned about their freedom. This created the oldest African American holiday that our people have celebrated for over 145 years.
The history of legislative action to abolish slavery in America began with the passage of the Vermont State Constitution on July 8, 1777. The first African American to earn a bachelor's degree from an American college or university and the first African American elected to a state legislature
in U.S. history also came from Vermont.