Legislation Document

WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest recognized celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States and the emancipation of African American slaves throughout the Confederate South; and

WHEREAS, the holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free, creating cause for jubilant celebrations that evolved into a general celebration of freedom; and

WHEREAS, June 19 is the freedom forerunner to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted freedom to all slaves in the United States, and the date is pivotal in our nation's Independence Day movement; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth serves as an extremely significant day of remembrance and acknowledgment of the history, freedom, culture, strength, perseverance, and achievement of the past, present, and future generations of the African American community; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth holds an important place not only in African American history, but in United States history for all Americans to reflect on, learn about, and appreciate the struggles, triumphs, and continued growth of our nation as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the faith and character demonstrated by former slaves and their descendants remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race; and

WHEREAS, after the emancipation from 246 years of slavery, African American continue to experience the vestiges of slavery from challenges to voting rights, inadequate public education systems, lack of access to capital lending institutions, and other social and economic injustices.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 501, Title 1 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 501. Designation.

(a) (1) The following days shall be are legal holidays in this State:

a. January 1, known as New Year’s Day; Day.

b. the The third Monday in January, known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Day.

c. The third Friday of June, known as Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

d. Good Friday; Friday.

e. July 4, known as Independence Day; Day.

f. the The first Monday in September, known as Labor Day; Day.

g. November 11, known as Veterans’ Day; Day.

h. the The fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day; Day.

i. the The Friday following Thanksgiving Day; Day.

j. December 25, known as Christmas; Christmas.

k. Saturdays; Saturdays.

l . the The day of the General Election as it biennially occurs; occurs.

m. and in In Sussex County, Return Day, the second day after the General Election, after 12:00 Noon.

(2) If any of the legal holidays fall on Sunday, the Monday following shall be is a legal holiday. If any of the legal holidays other than Saturday fall on Saturday, the Friday preceding shall be is a legal holiday.

(b) The last Monday in May shall be is the legal holiday, known as Memorial Day, in the State.

(c) Veteran’s Day shall be is a legal holiday for all public school students and the employees of public school districts and charter schools. If Veteran’s Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be is a legal holiday. If Veteran’s Day falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be is a legal holiday.

(d) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall promulgate policies and procedures to implement 2 floating holidays.

SYNOPSIS

Juneteenth National Freedom Day commemorates June 19, 1865, the date news finally reached African Americans in Galveston, Texas that Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves living in Confederate states.

In 2000, Chapter 269 of Volume 72 of the Laws of Delaware designated the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day, a special day to be commemorated in this State by appropriate ceremonies.

This Act designates the third Friday in June, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, as a legal holiday.

This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Author: Senator Brown