BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SR 78| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SR 78 Author: Huff (R) Introduced:6/6/16 Vote: Majority SUBJECT: 151st Anniversary of Juneteenth SOURCE: Author DIGEST: This resolution recognizes June 19, 2016, as the 151st Anniversary of Juneteenth. ANALYSIS: 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)Events in the history of the United States that led to the start of the Civil War in 1861 centered on sectional differences between the North and the South that were based on the economic and social divergence caused by the existence of slavery. 3)In September 1862, President Lincoln issued the celebrated Emancipation Proclamation, warning the rebellious Confederate states that he would declare their slaves "forever free" if those states did not return to the Union by January 1, 1863. 4)On January 31, 1865, Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery SR 78 Page 2 throughout the United States and its territories. 5)Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is considered the date upon which 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. 6)Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of slavery, and reminds all Americans of the significant contributions of African Americans to our society. Juneteenth celebrations are a tribute to those African Americans who fought so long and worked so hard to make the dream of equality a reality. This resolution recognizes June 19, 2016, as the 151st 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. Related/Prior Legislation ACR 87 (Ridley-Thomas, Resolution Chapter 121, Statutes of 2015) recognized June 19, 2015, as the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth. The resolution passed the Senate 39-0 on 7/6/15. SR 17 (Wright, 2011) encouraged all Californians to join together in celebrating Juneteenth, and recognizes 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 36-0 on 6/16/11. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:NoLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified6/9/16) SR 78 Page 3 None received OPPOSITION: (Verified6/9/16) None received Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520 6/9/16 14:26:17 **** END ****