9.161. Emancipation Day established. - Missouri Statutes

Emancipation Day established.

9.161. 1. June nineteenth, known as Juneteenth, of each year shall beknown and is designated as "Emancipation Day" to provide an opportunity forthe people of Missouri to reflect upon the United States of America's passionfor freedom as exemplified in the Constitution of the United States, the Billof Rights, and the Emancipation Proclamation, and to reflect upon thesignificance and particularity of the Emancipation Proclamation and its rolein ending slavery in the United States. To celebrate that Juneteenthcommemorates the spirit and quest of African-American freedom emphasizingeducation, art, and intellectual achievement, through reflection, rejoicing,and manifestation of a more substantive economic and just citizenry, thepeople of the state, offices of government, and all educational, commercial,political, civic, religious, and fraternal organizations in the state arerequested to devote some part of the day to remember the proclamation thatbegan the full realization for all people in the United States of theself-evident truth, as stated in the Declaration of Independence of the UnitedStates, that all men are created equal, by:

(1) Celebrating the abolishment of slavery, accomplished by ratificationof the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as theformer slaves celebrated on June 19, 1865, upon learning the message offreedom from Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army in Galveston,Texas, which celebration, known as "Juneteenth", is the oldest knowncelebration of the ending of slavery; and

(2) Reaffirming their commitment to achieving equal justice andopportunity for all citizens.

2. There is hereby established the "Missouri Juneteenth Heritage andJazz Festival and Memorial". Any funds appropriated by the general assemblyfor this event shall be used to establish a statewide festival and monument tocommemorate the struggles and hardships endured by those who had beenenslaved.

(L. 2003 H.B. 640)