Bill HF0048, SF0013

Session 2024

Bill Introduced By
Harrison Meek
Winona State University
House

Senate Author
Garrett Haugen

House Author
Harrison Meek

A bill for an act relating to

Juneteenth; June 19 recognized as a state holiday.

Committee Hearing

Path	Committee	Action
1	Judiciary Committee	In Committee
2	General Legislation Committee	No Action Taken
3	Rules Committee	No Action Taken

Legislative Action

	Action
House	No Action Taken
Senate	No Action Taken
Governor	No Action Taken

Select Amendment

1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to state government; recognizing Juneteenth, June 19, as a state holiday;
1.3 amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 10.55; 645.44, subdivision 5.
1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10.55, is amended to read:
1.6 10.55 JUNETEENTH.
1.7 (a) The third Saturday in June 19 of each year is designated Juneteenth in recognition
1.8 of the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the
1.9 Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas by Union
1.10 soldiers led by General Granger. The announcement came 2-1/2 years after President
1.11 Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Lee's surrender
1.12 in April 1865. Juneteenth and emancipation celebrations have been commonplace in
1.13 Minnesota since 1889 as a result of community-based grassroots efforts.
1.14 (b) Each year the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance and
1.15 recognizing the important contributions African-Americans have made to Minnesota's
1.16 communities, culture, and economy. The governor may also take any additional action
1.17 necessary to promote and encourage the observance of Juneteenth and public schools may
1.18 offer instruction and programs on the occasion.

1.19 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 645.44, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.20 Subd. 5.Holiday. "Holiday" includes New Year's Day, January 1; Martin Luther King's
1.21 Birthday, the third Monday in January; Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday, the third
1.22 Monday in February; Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Juneteenth, June 19;
2.1 Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, the first Monday in September; Christopher Columbus
2.2 Day, the second Monday in October; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, the
2.3 fourth Thursday in November; and Christmas Day, December 25; provided, when New
2.4 Year's Day, January 1; or Juneteenth, June 19; or Independence Day, July 4; or Veterans
2.5 Day, November 11; or Christmas Day, December 25; falls on Sunday, the following day
2.6 shall be a holiday and, provided, when New Year's Day, January 1; or Juneteenth, June 19;
2.7 or Independence Day, July 4; or Veterans Day, November 11; or Christmas Day, December
2.8 25; falls on Saturday, the preceding day shall be a holiday. No public business shall be
2.9 transacted on any holiday, except in cases of necessity and except in cases of public business
2.10 transacted by the legislature, nor shall any civil process be served thereon. However, for
2.11 the executive branch of the state of Minnesota, "holiday" also includes the Friday after
2.12 Thanksgiving but does not include Christopher Columbus Day. Other branches of state
2.13 government and political subdivisions shall have the option of determining whether
2.14 Christopher Columbus Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving shall be holidays. Where it
2.15 is determined that Columbus Day or the Friday after Thanksgiving is not a holiday, public
2.16 business may be conducted thereon.
2.17 Any agreement between a public employer and an employee organization citing Veterans
2.18 Day as the fourth Monday in October shall be amended to cite Veterans Day as November
2.19 11.

Author
Harrison Meek
Winona State University
House

Essay

There are numerous pros for having Juneteenth recognized as a state holiday. Firstly, and most importantly, African Americans are now able to have a day to feel appreciated by all. This is extremely important because many African Americans face mistreatment and racism, which leads them feeling hurt and not important. Not only does Juneteenth make African Americans feel cherished but it also spreads awareness of the injustice and depressing history surrounding African Americans. Lastly, Juneteenth can be used as something that African Americans can look upon to be proud of because of how far they have come. "Juneteenth is important, because it reminds us of what we came through and what we can achieve.(NMAAHC) . As the National Museum of African American History and Culture additionally adds as to why Juneteenth is important "it allows each generation to reflect on what more there is to do" (NMAAHC).

Now for the cons, although I don’t believe there are many at all. The black agenda report, a website and news site states "Juneteenth Turns what was a peoples’ celebration into an occasion for opportunism and window dressing has actually damaged the cause of Black liberation and the understanding of history" (The Black Agenda Report). Another negative of having Juneteenth recognized as a state holiday is that it may spark controversy with people that believe that African Americans don’t deserve a day for themselves. To summarize what I mean, Juneteenth could become political which is what nobody wants. Some people also believe that Juneteenth is taking away from other important things. "A children's museum was condemned for serving as a Juneteenth watermelon stand" (Black Agenda Report). Another possible con of Juneteenth is that it can be exploited by companys and politcians.

References:

“Why Is Juneteenth Important?” National Museum of African American History and Culture, 31 May 2023, nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/why-juneteenth-important.

Kimberley, Margaret, and 15 Jun 2023. “The Problem with Juneteenth.” Black Agenda Report, 15 June 2023, www.blackagendareport.com/problem-juneteenth.

There are currently no votes for this bill.

No log yet