SPLC Action Fund Statement on Bill to Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday

WASHINGTON — SPLC Action Fund President and Chief Executive Officer Margaret Huang released the statement below following the introduction today of a bill in the U.S. Senate to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday:

“The national recognition of Juneteenth is long overdue. We welcome the introduction of this bill to commemorate Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Its introduction this year highlights the demands of protestors for an end to the killings of Black people by police and vigilantes. It is only by acknowledging the scourge of racism throughout our nation’s history that we will be able to move forward together. We urge all members of Congress to support its passage.” 

The bill was introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.). Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) is a cosponsor.