HLS 20RS-2877 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 63
BY REPRESENTATIVES JAMES, BRASS, BRYANT, CARPENTER, GARY CARTER,
WILFORD CARTER, COX, DUPLESSIS, GAINES, GLOVER, GREEN,
HUGHES, JEFFERSON, JENKINS, TRAVIS JOHNSON, JONES, JORDAN,
LARVADAIN, LYONS, MARCELLE, DUSTIN MILLER, MOORE, NEWELL,
PHELPS, PIERRE, SELDERS, AND WILLARD
HOLIDAYS: Requests the governor and the legislature to take such actions as are necessary
to observe Juneteenth as a state holiday
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the governor and the legislature of Louisiana to take such actions as are
3 necessary to recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth Day and to observe
4 Juneteenth as a state holiday.
5 WHEREAS, news of the end of slavery did not reach frontier areas of the United
6States, and in particular the southwestern states, for more than two and a half years after
7President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued on January 1, 1863, and
8months after the conclusion of the Civil War; and
9 WHEREAS, Juneteenth is an annual observance and celebration of the date Union
10soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all remaining slaves in Galveston,
11Texas, on June 19, 1865; and
12 WHEREAS, since 1865, the day has been celebrated as the day African-Americans
13received the news of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation; and
14 WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the strength and resolve of
15African-Americans throughout our history, and is an opportunity to highlight the value of
16African-American culture, art, history, and achievement; and
17 WHEREAS, the celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part
18of the history and heritage of the United States; and
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HR NO. 63
1 WHEREAS, for more than one hundred fifty years, Juneteenth Day celebrations have
2been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and
3respect for all cultures; and
4 WHEREAS, forty-six states and the District of Columbia have designated Juneteenth
5Day as a special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the
6United States; and
7 WHEREAS, in 1997, the 105th United States Congress officially recognized
8Juneteenth as the observance of Independence Day of Americans of African descent; and
9 WHEREAS, Juneteenth reflects our belief in liberty and equality for every citizen,
10as everyone can benefit from a greater understanding and appreciation of the experiences of
11others.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
13Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor and the legislature of
14Louisiana to take such actions as are necessary to recognize the historical significance of
15Juneteenth Day and to observe Juneteenth as a state holiday.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 63 Original 2020 Regular Session James
Requests the governor and the legislature to take such actions as are necessary to recognize
the historical significance of Juneteenth Day and to observe Juneteenth as a state holiday.
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