AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF juneteenth independence day.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 15AAAAA the following section:-
Section 15BBBBB. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart the nineteenth of June as Juneteenth Independence Day, to be observed on the Sunday that is closest to June 19th of each year, in recognition of June 19, 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest ern United States and in recognition of the end of slavery in the United States as well as the significant contributions, individuals of African decent have made to the commonwealth and to the United States and recommending that said day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people.
Approved June 16, 2007.