The Alabama Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that could soon make Juneteenth a state holiday. The legislation, which was introduced by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, will now proceed to the full Senate for a vote.
Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when Black enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation, over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 2021, Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday by former President Joe Biden. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has since declared the day a state holiday on an annual basis.
This bill, HB165, represents a significant step toward formalizing Juneteenth as an official state holiday in Alabama. Senator Merika Coleman, D-Montgomery, commended Rehm for bringing the bill forward and expressed appreciation for his outreach regarding its importance.
“Juneteenth is not just a holiday for African Americans; it’s a holiday that celebrates freedom and recognizes the pain of our shared history,” Coleman said. She also praised Rehm for listening to his constituents and advancing the bill despite past opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
The effort to establish Juneteenth as a state holiday has faced hurdles in previous legislative sessions. However, the latest push gained momentum, largely due to growing support from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, emphasized the historical significance of the bill, noting, “Many of us do not celebrate the Fourth of July because we were not free on that day.”
Rehm, acknowledging the frustration some lawmakers have expressed, noted that his decision to file the legislation was motivated by constituent feedback. “This is an important holiday that deserves recognition,” Rehm stated.
The original version of the bill included a provision allowing state employees the option to observe either Juneteenth or Jefferson Davis’ birthday, a holiday associated with the former president of the Confederacy. However, the provision was later removed following debate.
The bill’s passage marks a pivotal moment in Alabama’s ongoing discussion about the recognition of Juneteenth, and its movement through the Senate could soon make Juneteenth an official state holiday.
