Bill Text: PA HB2190 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of the third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in this Commonwealth.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-09 - Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT [HB2190 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HB2190-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 3076
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2190 Session of2012
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.
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