Washington Juneteenth 2000 & congressional apology for slavery

Press release, National Juneteenth Observation Foundation, 23 May 2000

For Information Contact:

Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman,
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
(202) 331-8864
(662) 247-1471
(662) 247-1384 Fax
MyersFound@aol.com
http://www.19thofJune.com
http://www.actom.com/njclc.htm
http://www.actom.com/myersfound.htm

(Washington, DC)—Thousands will travel to the nation's capitol to celebrate the 19th of June, Juneteenth Independence Day, and support a Congressional Apology For Slavery, June 17-19, 2000, during the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2000 National Holiday Observance, at the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and US Capitol Grounds. The time has come in America for Juneteenth to be established as a National Holiday and circled on calendars across the country, states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & President of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF). We anticipate President Clinton will issue a Presidential Proclamation finally establishing Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Holiday while we are gathered in Washington, DC.

During the first session of the 105th Congress Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56 were successfully passed officially recognizing June teenth as the Independence Day of Americans of African descent in 1997. Dr. Myers, missionary physician, Baptist minister and jazz musician, serving the poor in the Mississippi Delta, was one of the historic leaders working with Former Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins (D-Michigan), Senator Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) and Congressman J. C. Watts (R-Oklahoma) to gain wider acceptance and recognition of Juneteenth in America.

Our campaign to establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday has lead to the historic passage of the Delaware Juneteenth Holiday Bill, states Dr. Myers. Juneteenth has previously been established as a holiday in the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. Many states including Mississippi, Louisiana and Michigan have recognized the significance of Juneteenth through resolutions passed by their state legislatures.

In a recent letter to President Clinton, Dr. Myers request Clinton's support in establishing Juneteenth as a National Holiday through the issuing of a Presidential Proclamation proclaiming the 19th of June as Juneteenth Independence Day in America during WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2000. Since Congress has already recognized the ‘19th of June’ as Juneteenth Independence Day in America in 1997, a Presidential Proclamation is all that would be necessary to officially establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday in America, states Dr. Myers. The holiday would be recognized on calendars across America but would not be a burden to tax payers as a paid federal holiday.

Thousands gathered are also supporting Congressman Tony Hall (D-Ohio) in his efforts to pass a Congressional Apology for Slavery and establishment of a National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Slavery during the annual observance of Juneteenth in America. A Congressional apology for slavery is an essential step in healing the wounds that have scared our nation for many generations, states Dr. Myers, also Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC). The annual observance of Juneteenth is an opportune time for the nation to come together for healing and reconciliation.

Dr. Myers also wants President Clinton to appoint a National Juneteenth Commission to recommend how the annual observance of Juneteenth Independence Day will bring all Americans together with the important goal of promoting greater understanding and racial healing through a National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Slavery during the annual observance of Juneteenth.

WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2000 speakers include Congressman James Clyburn, Former. Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins, Bishop George McKinney, Bishop Eddie Long, Bishop Philip Porter, Bishop David G. Evans, Rev. Mark Pollard, Rev. William Gwynn, Rev. Charles Smith, Rev. Ronald Myers, Sr., M.D., Rev. Burnell McQueen, Rev. Dwight Webster, Eddie Carthan, Carl Ellis, Atty. Wilhelmina Rolark, Dr. Arthur Fletcher, Dr. Morris F.X. Jeff, Jr., Dr. James Cameron, Dr. Ruth Bentley, Rev. Nathaniel Stampley, Rev. Arlen Best, Dr. Joel Freeman, Rev. Anthony Motley, Oscar Torres & Rev. Goat Carson.

For more information contact the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) at 202-331-8864 or 662-247-1471, e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com, web site: <http://www.19thofJune.com>.

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