THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY HELM, WATERS, BAKER, BEAR, BISHOP, BOBACK, B. BOYLE, BRADFORD, BROOKS, R. BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, DALEY, DENLINGER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLEN, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GROVE, HAHN, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, JOSEPHS, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSICO, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MURT, MUSTIO, MYERS, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PAYTON, PRESTON, RAPP, READSHAW, ROCK, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, CULVER, SONNEY, SWANGER, TAYLOR, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WHEATLEY AND YOUNGBLOOD, FEBRUARY 9, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 9, 2012  

AN ACT

Providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of

the third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom

Day" in this Commonwealth.

The General Assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:

(1)  Originating in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865,

when slaves in that state learned that they had been freed,

"Juneteenth National Freedom Day" is the oldest African-

American holiday observance in the United States.

(2)  "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" commemorates the

survival instinct of Africans who endured a transatlantic

journey, known as the Middle Passage, on slave ships from

their homeland to this country.

(3)  Approximately 11.5 million Africans survived the

harsh voyage to slave markets in the New World during the

late 17th century, and the slave population in the American

colonies grew quickly.

(4)  "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" further

commemorates the impact of slavery, the abolition movement

and African-American emancipation in the United States and

has become a traditional celebration of independence, human

rights and African-American culture in many communities.

(5)  Recognition of "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in

this Commonwealth would encourage all governmental entities,

civic organizations, schools and institutions of higher

education in this Commonwealth to observe the day in a manner

that emphasizes the meaning and importance of the

emancipation proclamation that ended slavery in the United

States and to recognize and celebrate the importance of this

day to every person who cherishes liberty and equality for

all people.

(6)  "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" is celebrated

annually in at least 37 states nationwide.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Designation.

The third Saturday in June is designated as "Juneteenth

National Freedom Day" in this Commonwealth.

Section 2.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect immediately.