THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 86

Author: Weber (D), et al.

Introduced: 5/1/19

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 6/17/19

SUBJECT: Juneteenth

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes June 19, 2019, as Juneteenth and urges the people of California to join in celebrating Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant role that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and how they have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Juneteenth is the oldest African American holiday observance in the United States.
2. Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed, almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
3. August 2019 will mark 400 years since the first arrival of Africans to colonial America.
4. Prior to the end of the Civil War, on January 31, 1865, Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery throughout the U.S. and its territories. Spontaneous celebrations erupted throughout the country when African Americans learned of their freedom.
5. Texas, as a part of the Confederacy, was resistant to the Emancipation Proclamation. But on June 18, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets with jubilant celebrations. The following day, June 19th, became known as “Juneteenth,” a name derived from a portmanteau of the words “June” and “nineteenth.” Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year.
6. Juneteenth education and celebrations declined in America in the early part of the 20th century. But the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence of interest in Juneteenth, along with renewed community celebrations of the day.
7. A growing number of American and African American cultural institutions have sponsored Juneteenth cultural events designed to make all Americans aware of this celebration. Juneteenth celebrations are a tribute to those African Americans who fought so long for freedom and worked so hard to make the dream of equality a reality.
8. California law requires the Governor to proclaim the third Saturday in June of each year to be known as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A day of observance,” to urge all Californians in celebrating this day to honor and reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in the history of the United States and how African-Americans have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting freedom, brotherhood, and equality.
9. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement, and for planning the future.

This resolution recognizes June 19, 2019, as Juneteenth; and urges the people of California to join in celebrating Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant role that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and how they have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality.

Comments

The author states, “Dating back to 1865, Juneteenth is the oldest African-American holiday in the United States. After the country broke into civil war over the political and economic ramifications of ending slavery, President Lincoln signed the Emaciation Proclamation, which freed slaves in Confederate states. However, the Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves in states that were not in rebellion, including the state of Texas. Three years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, hundreds of thousands of people remained in bondage in Texas.

“When the slaves finally received news of their freedom, they rejoiced in spontaneous celebration. A year later, the first annual Juneteenth celebration took place in Texas. Over the years, millions of African Americans migrated from the South, bringing the Juneteenth tradition to other states. Today, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the hardships endured by African Americans in this country and celebrate the many contributions they have made to the nation.”

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 58 (Bradford, 2019) recognizes June 19, 2019, as Juneteenth and urges the people of California to join in celebrating Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant role that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and how they have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality. The resolution is pending in the Assembly.

SCR 145 (Bradford, Resolution Chapter 112, Statutes of 2018) recognized June 19, 2018, as Juneteenth and urged the people of California to join in celebrating Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant role that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and how they have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/24/19)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/24/19)

None received

Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520

6/26/19 15:41:19

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 86

Author:(Weber)

As Introduced Ver:May 1, 2019

Majority vote

SUMMARY:

Recognizes June 19, 2019, as Juneteenth and urges the people of California to join in celebrating Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant role that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality.

Major Provisions

1. Juneteenth, also known as "Juneteenth Independence Day," "Emancipation Day," "Emancipation Celebration," and "Freedom Day," is the oldest African American holiday observance in the United States.
2. Juneteenth commemorates the strong survival instinct of African Americans who were first brought to this country stacked and shackled in the bottom of slave ships in a month-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean known as the "Middle Passage."
3. August 2019 will mark 400 years since the first arrival of Africans to colonial America, and the United States Congress has established the 400 Years of African American History Commission to commemorate the historic heritage and contributions that Americans of African descent have made to help shape the cultural, academic, social, economic, and moral attributes of this nation.
4. Juneteenth education and celebrations declined in America in the early part of the 20th century. But the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence of interest in Juneteenth, along with renewed community celebrations of the day.
5. California law requires the Governor to proclaim the third Saturday in June of each year to be known as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A day of observance," to urge all Californians in celebrating this day to honor and reflect on the significant roles that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and how African Americans have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting freedom, brotherhood, and equality.
6. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing; a time for assessment, self-improvement, and for planning the future.

COMMENTS:

None on file

According to the Author: Dating back to 1865, Juneteenth is the oldest African-American holiday in the United States. After the country broke into civil war over the political and economic ramifications of ending slavery, President Lincoln signed the Emaciation Proclamation, which freed slaves in Confederate states. However, the Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves in states that were not in rebellion, including the state of Texas. Three years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, hundreds of thousands of people remained in bondage in Texas. When the slaves finally received news of their freedom, they rejoiced in spontaneous celebration. A year later, the first annual Juneteenth celebration took place in Texas. Over the years, millions of African Americans migrated from the South, bringing the Juneteenth tradition to other states. Today, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the hardships endured by African Americans in this country and celebrate the many contributions they have made to the nation.

Arguments in Support:

None on file

Arguments in Opposition:

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS:

No fiscal impact

VOTES:

ASM RULES: 11-0-1

YES: Cooley, Cunningham, Carrillo, Flora, Kamlager-Dove, Maienschein, Mathis, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Robert Rivas, Wicks

ABS, ABST OR NV: Grayson

UPDATED:

VERSION: May 1, 2019

CONSULTANT: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0001065

Date of Hearing: June 13, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Ken Cooley, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 86 (

Author:Weber) – As Introduced Ver:May 1, 2019

SUBJECT: Juneteenth.

SUMMARY: Recognizes June 19, 2019, as Juneteenth and urges the people of California to join in celebrating Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant role that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” “Emancipation Celebration,” and “Freedom Day,” is the oldest African American holiday observance in the United States.
2. Juneteenth commemorates the strong survival instinct of African Americans who were first brought to this country stacked and shackled in the bottom of slave ships in a month-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean known as the “Middle Passage.”
3. August 2019 will mark 400 years since the first arrival of Africans to colonial America, and the United States Congress has established the 400 Years of African American History Commission to commemorate the historic heritage and contributions that Americans of African descent have made to help shape the cultural, academic, social, economic, and moral attributes of this nation.
4. Juneteenth education and celebrations declined in America in the early part of the 20th century. But the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence of interest in Juneteenth, along with renewed community celebrations of the day.
5. California law requires the Governor to proclaim the third Saturday in June of each year to be known as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A day of observance,” to urge all Californians in celebrating this day to honor and reflect on the significant roles that African Americans have played in the history of the United States and how African Americans have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting freedom, brotherhood, and equality.
6. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing; a time for assessment, self-improvement, and for planning the future.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800