BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | ACR 87|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 87
Author: Ridley-Thomas (D), et al.
Introduced:6/11/15
Vote: 21
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 6/18/15
SUBJECT: The 150th anniversary of Juneteenth
SOURCE: California State Conference of the NAACP
DIGEST: This resolution 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.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)June 19, 2015, marks the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth.
2)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.
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3)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."
4)Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the
last slaves in America were freed when General Gordon Granger
rode into Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3,
almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln issued
the Emancipation Proclamation.
5)Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of
slavery, and reminds all Americans of the significant
contributions of African Americans to our society.
This resolution 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.
Prior Legislation
SR 17 (Wright, 2011) encouraged all Californians to join
together in celebrating Juneteenth and recognized that the
"Modern Juneteenth Movement" continues to work to pass
legislation in the United States Congress to establish
Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Day of Observance.
The resolution was adopted by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
ACR 87
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SUPPORT: (Verified6/19/15)
California State Conference of the NAACP (source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified6/19/15)
None received
Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520
6/19/15 16:03:20
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