BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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Date of Hearing: June 15, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Richard Gordon, Chair
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(Ridley-Thomas) - As Introduced June 11, 2015
SUBJECT: The 150th anniversary of Juneteenth.
SUMMARY: Recognizes June 19, 2015, as the 150th anniversary of
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. 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 in the bottom of slave ships in a month-long journey
across the Atlantic Ocean known as the "Middle Passage."
3)June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in
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America were freed when General Gordon Granger rode into
Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, almost two
and half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation.
4)Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of
slavery, and reminds all Americans of the significant
contributions of African Americans to our society.
FISCAL EFFECT: None
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800
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