Proposal would make Juneteenth paid state holiday

Rev. Leroy S. Chandler of Shamgar Ministries Pathways To Freedom shows a slave collar at his home on County Road 318 in Reddick, Fla. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Chandler will bring many of his African American history artifacts to be on display in the Shamgar Pathways To Freedom exhibit at Master The Possibilities next week from Tuesday, June 22, to Friday, June 25, 2021. His exhibit will be part of the Juneteenth celebration in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

A proposal filed Monday by Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Ocoee, aims to make Juneteenth Day a paid holiday for all state government employees.

The Florida Legislature in 1991 designated June 19 as “Juneteenth Day” to commemorate the freeing of slaves but did not mark the date as a legal holiday. Bracy’s measure (SB 1164) was filed for consideration during the 2022 legislative session, which will begin Jan. 11.

While emancipation from slavery in Florida was proclaimed on May 20, 1865, Juneteenth marks the announcement of the end of slavery reaching all Confederate states. Recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday would “further commemorate the announcement of the abolition of slavery and to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans to this state” and the nation, an introductory part of the bill said. President Joe Biden this year signed legislation designating Juneteenth as a national holiday.