Michigan Senate OKs invoice making Juneteenth a state vacation

“I’ve been working on this situation all through my time within the Senate. I’m honored to hold on the nice work of my legislative predecessors and am so proud to see this invoice go the total Senate — and almost unanimously,” Santana informed the Advance on Wednesday. 

Juneteenth acknowledges the date wherein slaves in Galveston, Texas, discovered of their freedom on June 19, 1865 — greater than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

The invoice would designate June 19 of every yr as a state-recognized, public vacation. It “brings Juneteenth on par with our state and federal holidays as a financial institution and judiciary vacation within the state,” in line with Alex Rossman, a state Senate spokesman. 

“That is one other main milestone as we work in our state and our nation to deal with our historical past head on and higher acknowledge, acknowledge, and on this case, rejoice the various experiences of all cultures and races,” Santana mentioned. “I recognize the widespread, bipartisan assist of this invoice and the progress and consciousness of Juneteenth that it illustrates, and I’ll preserve on the lookout for methods to seek out frequent floor to make Michigan a extra inclusive state for all.”   

The invoice heads to the Home for consideration.

If Juneteenth is acknowledged as a public vacation in Michigan, it will align with the federal authorities making it a nationwide vacation in June 2022. Following federal laws, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan.