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Myers urges President Obama to issue a Presidential
Proclamation to establish Juneteenth as a National
Holiday Observance in America
(Letter to President Obama) 10th Annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance
Returns to the Nation's Capitol
Myers Request Congress Support the Establishment of
Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance in America
   Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., (left) Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC), Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), (center) Chairman of the National Juneteenth Congressional Committee and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), (right) Senate Host of the U.S. Capitol Juneteenth Congressional Reception, are the invited featured speakers for the 2009 WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance (Washington, DC) - As Senator Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of the United States, Juneteenth supporters are hopeful that the "19th of June" will finally be established as a national holiday observance in America. Senator Barack Obama has been a key sponsor of Juneteenth legislation in the U.S. Senate. He also served as senate host and speaker at the annual Juneteenth Congressional Reception from 2005 through 2008.
This year, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), a historic co-sponsor of Juneteenth legislation in the U.S. Senate since 1997, will serve as U.S. Senate Host. Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) will continue to serve as Chairman of the National Juneteenth Congressional Committee.
"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."
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 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 and Vermont. 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, Wisconsin and Maryland have recognized Juneteenth through state legislative resolutions, Gubernatorial Proclamations and current state holiday observance legislation.
"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. "It is truly amazing that the White House will be occupied by a free American of African descent. We will honor their sacrifice and contribution 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 slavery," 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."
Working toward the successful introduction of the U.S. Senate version of the Congressional Apology For Slavery, Juneteenth leaders hope the passage of this landmark legislation will take place during the week of the 2009 WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance. 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). During the week of the observance of Juneteenth 2005, the U.S. Senate passed Apology For Lynching legislation.
"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."
"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 museum's founder, the late Dr. James Cameron, a lynching survivor, has been encouraged by the Senate Apology For Lynching during the week of Juneteenth in 2005.
"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."
For information on the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2009 National Holiday Observance and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, call Dr. Myers at 662-247-3364, or 662-247-1471; e-mail: myersfound@aol.com, web sites: www.Juneteenth.us, www.njclc.com, www.19thofJune.com and www.JuneteenthJazz.com. click for the CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2009 National Holiday Observance "Together we will see Juneteenth become a National Holiday in America!"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) 662-247-3364 662-247-1471
www.Juneteenth.us www.19thofJune.com www.njclc.com www.JuneteenthJazz.com ------------------------------------------------- | Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (1/3/09)
Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) National Associaton of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)
662-247-3364 662-247-1471
e-mail:
Lestine Byars
Board of Directors
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) Chicago South Shore Juneteenth Celebration
312-684-6070
e-mail: LestineB@aol.com John Thompson, Vice-Chairman
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
Juneteenth America, Inc.
909-621-9707
e-mail: 2009 National Juneteenth Events Schedule (Belzoni, Mississippi) - The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF), National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC), and Juneteenth America, Inc. (JAI) announces the 2009 National Juneteenth Events Schedule. The establishment of Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance, the preservation of our African-American jazz legacy and providing opportunities for reconciliation and healing from the legacy of slavery are among the goals of the annual events. "We hope that our events in 2009 will result in over 40 states successfully establishing legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance in America," states Rev. Ronald Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign. "Our National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign has already resulted in 29 states and the District of Columbia recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance. Congress also recognizes the "19th of June", Juneteenth in America. We hope that President Barack Obama will issue a Presidential Proclamation establishing Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance. We will also request congress to pass similar legislation by first voting to suspend their rules against recognizing holidays or special days of commemoration." Working toward the successful introduction of the U.S. Senate version of the Congressional Apology For Slavery, Juneteenth leaders hope the passage of this landmark legislation will take place during the week of the 2009 WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an Apology For Slavery and Jim Crow, sponsored by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN). During the week of the observance of Juneteenth 2005, the U.S. Senate passed Apology For Lynching legislation. "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, also Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC). "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. 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."
The 8th Annual National Juneteenth Convention and Expo has been scheduled to take place in Chicago, IL during the last weekend of August, 2009, with the theme, "Going Green with Juneteenth", encouraging Juneteenth Festivals and groups across America to advocate for a clean environment and alternative energy. "Through Juneteenth we plan to educate our community about the emergence of green technology," states John Thompson, Founder & President of Juneteenth America, Inc., host of the annual National Juneteenth Convention. "It is important for everyone to work toward a clean and energy proficient environment." Concerned about the decline of jazz in the black community, with diminishing concert and small group performances in black owned and operated venues, the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP) was established to support the presentation of "Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz - Preserving our African-American Jazz Legacy" at Juneteenth Festivals during the month of June, Black Music Month. The NAJJP also sponsors several jazz festivals throughout the year where the preservation of African-American jazz legacy is the focus of these events. "We encourage jazz musicians and music presenters across America to "Celebrate Juneteenth Jazz" during June, Black Music Month," states Dr. Myers. "The creators of jazz in America, Americans of African descent, increasingly find themselves locked out of resources and projects to promote, perform and educate students and communities about jazz throughout the country. Cities, in an effort to promote tourism and economic development, have created historic jazz preservation districts where black ownership and business entrepreneurship is not encouraged." "It is not uncommon to find jazz festivals where black musicians, especially the masters, are no longer invited to participate," states Dr. Myers. "We consider 'Juneteenth Jazz' the beginning of a modern day African-American artistic renaissance. We must create, develop and support our own institutions to preserve our rich black jazz legacy throughout America." June 13, 2009 2nd Annual Kansas City Memorial Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival June Is Black Music Month - "Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz" Kansas City, MO June 14, 2009 2nd Annual Omaha Malcolm X Memorial Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival June Is Black Music Month - "Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz" Omaha, NB June 17-19, 2009 10th Annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance National Juneteenth Congressional Reception National Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement National Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "Maafa" Memorial Service Washington, DC August 28-30, 2009 8th Annual National Juneteenth Convention & Expo Chicago, IL | 
The dome of the Capitol is framed through dense
summer foliage, in Washington, Tuesday, July 29, 2008.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
week of the observance of Juneteenth 2005.
(6/13/05)
"Together we will see Juneteenth become a National Holiday in America!"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNETEENTH JAZZ PRESENTERS
(NAJJP)
"June Is Black Music Month!"
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ
"Preserving our African-American Jazz Legacy!"
www.JuneteenthJazz.com |
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