Lansing, MI --- A member of the Lansing Juneteenth Committee recently spoke in support of a bill designating the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Michigan.

Coordinator of the Juneteenth Capitol Kick-off Ceremony, Marilyn Plummer testified before the Michigan Senate Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs. She spoke in favor of Senate Bill 384 introduced by Senator Martha Scott. Plummer said:

“June 19, 1865 coined as “Juneteenth” is of great historical significance and is the oldest African American holiday. Juneteenth represents the joy of freedom-the chance for a new beginning. It was on June 19, 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Lincoln signed on January 1, 1863, reached the slaves of Texas. Learning of their freedom, this day of June 19, 1865 became the true Independence Day for African-Americans ending slavery in the United States. The celebration of Juneteenth encourages communities to become educated about our history, to strive to understand our culture.”

June 19, 2005 marks the 140th anniversary of Juneteenth. The Grand Celebration begins on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at the State Capitol Building East steps at 5:30 p.m.and June 17th and 18th 2005 at St. Joseph Park located on the Westside of Lansing, MI.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Beyond Emancipation Continuing Towards Empowerment”.

Juneteenth celebrations have grown throughout this country beginning with the states of Texas and Oklahoma being the first to name Juneteenth as a state holiday.

The city of Flint is in its 15th year; Lansing is in its 12th year, the city of Jackson in its second year, and Detroit, its first year of celebration. Grand Rapids and Saginaw both have citywide celebrations as well.

“We appreciate the effort of Senator Scott and the Legislative Black Caucus members who have introduced Juneteenth legislation year after year,” Plummer said, “This is the first committee hearing the legislation has ever had.”

Now, the Bill has to clear additional Senate committee hurdles and then do the same in the House of Representatives before it can land on the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

“We say thank you to Senator Virgo Bernero and Representative Mike Murphy for their support and for being our co-hosts of the Capitol Kick-off Ceremony. And a special thank you to Senator Martha Scott for serving as our key note speaker at the Kick-off,” Plummer said.

For more information check out the web site at: www.LansingJuneteenthCelebration.org