Statement of Introduction Juneteenth Day Amendment Act of 2021 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray February 23, 2021

Today, I am joined by my colleagues Councilmembers Allen, Bonds, Cheh, Henderson, Lewis George, McDuffie, Nadeau, Silverman, Robert White and Trayon White, Sr. in introducing the “Juneteenth Day Amendment Act of 2021” to make Juneteenth as an official District of Columbia holiday.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the and is recognized by all but three states. The movement calling for making Juneteenth a holiday has been growing in popularity since protests against police brutality and racial injustice started last year throughout the U.S.

For historical context, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in Confederate states in January 1863, but it took two more years for the last remaining enslaved African Americans, in Galveston, Texas, to be told of their freedom. A Union general read them the proclamation on June 19, 1865, more than two months after the Civil War ended. Although, slavery continued in border states until the 13th Amendment abolished it in December 1865.

Of the 47 states that do acknowledge Juneteenth in one way or another, Texas, Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania celebrate Juneteenth as an official paid holiday for state employees. This legislation would have the District of Columbia join those states. Juneteenth has been a significant holiday within the African American community, and with this bill, the District of Columbia will recognize Juneteenth as an official District holiday and a significant part of American history.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to successfully pass this legislation. ______Councilmember Anita D. Bonds Councilmember Vincent C. Gray

______Councilmember Mary M. Cheh Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

______Councilmember Christina Henderson Councilmember

______Councilmember Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau

______Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.

______Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.

A BILL

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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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1 To amend the District of Columbia Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to make 2 Juneteenth a legal holiday; and to amend section 28-2701 of the District of Columbia 3 Official Code to do the same. 4

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5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

6 act may be cited as the “Juneteenth Day Amendment Act of 2021”.

7 Sect. 2. Section 1202(a) of the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive merit

8 personnel Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-139; D.C. Official Code § 1-

9 612.02(a)), is amended by adding a new paragraph (4A) to read as follows:

10 “(4A) Juneteenth, June 19th of each year;”.

11 Sec. 3. Section 28-2701 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by striking

12 the phrase “May; Independence Day,” and inserting the phrase “May; Juneteenth, June 19;

13 Independence Day,” in its place.

14 Sec. 5. Fiscal impact statement.

15 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement as the fiscal impact statement in the

16 committee report as required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,

17 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

18 Sec. 4. Effective date.

19 This act shall take effect upon its approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the

20 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as

21 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December

22 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of

23 Columbia Register.

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