http://www.nationaljuneteenth.com/Maryland.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (4/23/14)
Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.,
Founder & Chairman
National Juneteenth Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)
662-392-2016 662-247-1471
e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com
web sites: www.NationalJuneteenth.com
Linda Hinnant
Maryland Juneteenth Committee
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
Fort Washington, MD
240-244-5356
e-mail: lindahinnant@verizon.net
State Rep. Melvin Stukes

Frederick Doouglass

Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Maryland to Become 43rd State to
Recognize Juneteenth as a State Holiday
Rep. Stukes Champions
Maryland Juneteenth Legislation
Home State of Abolitionist Frederick Douglass
to Recognize Juneteenth Independence Day
(Annapolis, Maryland) - Maryland, the home state of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, is now the 43rd state to officially recognize Juneteenth Independence Day as a state holiday or state holiday observance. State Representative Melvin Stukes recently introduced HB 549, "An Act concerning State Government - Commemorative Days - Juneteenth National Freedom" requiring the Governor to "annually to proclaim a certain day as Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in Maryland.
Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the last southern state in rebellion following the end of the Civil War. This occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African American holiday observance.
With just seven states remaining, Rev. Myers is optimistic that President Obama
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