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PRESS RELEASE - National Juneteenth Board Meeting & Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/14/12) Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) 662-247-1471 662-247-3364 e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com web site: www.NationalJuneteenth.com John Thompson, Executive Producer National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP) Juneteenth America, Inc. 909-621-9707 e-mail: johnharold@juneteenthamerica.us web sites: www.JuneteenthJazz.com www.JuneteenthAmerica.us
National Juneteenth Chairman
Rev. Ronald Myers, Sr., M.D., Pushes For Holiday Observance National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign Leaders to Convene Conference in Indianapolis Juneteenth Jazz Legacy Awards (JJLA) Program 
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. National Juneteenth Jazz Artist (Indianapolis, Indiana) - Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., leader of the Campaign to Establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance will return to Indianapolis, IN for the 2012 National Juneteenth Board Meeting and Conference, June 29-30, 2012. Dr. Pat Payne, Director of the Cripus Attucks Museum will be hosting what promises to be an inspirational event. Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in Galveston, TX. Texas was the last state in rebellion to still allow enslavement following the end of the Civil War. This occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African American holiday observance. Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in 41 states, including Indiana, the District of Columbia and recognized by the U.S. Congress. Dr. Myers is urging congress to pass legislation to make Juneteenth Independence Day a National Holiday Observance, like Flag Day or Patriot Day. "We are very much appreciative of the support congress has given to the recognition of Juneteenth," states Dr. Myers, Founder and Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC). "We hope that Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. Daniel Coats (R-IN) will also support our efforts." "Juneteenth is a freedom celebration significant for all Americans and the forerunner to the 13th Amendment, " states John Thompson, Founder & CEO of Juneteenth America, Inc. host of the annual National Juneteenth Convention and Expo, in Ontario, California. "Juneteenth brings all Americans together to celebrate the end of slavery and freedom," continues Thompson. "Juneteenth is America's 2nd Independence Day." Thousands of petitions have been forwarded to the White House urging President Obama to make Juneteenth Independence Day a National Holiday Observance and to establish a Presidential National Juneteenth Commission. "The official recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day and the end of enslavement by state governments and congress are very significant steps in bringing healing to America from the legacy of enslavement," states Rev., Dr. Myers, also the Founder and Director of the National Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement and the World Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement. Introduced twice by Congressman Hall, the last time on Juneteenth Independence Day, the "19th of June", 2000, during the first WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance, the "3rd Friday in June" has now been set aside as the date for the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement. The day was established in recognition of former Congressman Tony Hall's efforts to pass a congressional apology for slavery. Dr. Myers, who worked closely with Congressman Hall, learned first hand that America's slave legacy was still a very contemptuous issue for many Americans, who would rather ignore history then embrace the truth. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives finally passed legislation for an Apology For Slavery and Jim Crow sponsored by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN). Similiar legislation was passed in the U.S. Senate sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) in 2009, but failed in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Myers is continuing to push for future legislation that will include the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and the President of the United States. As the National Juneteenth Jazz Artist, minister, physician and jazz musician, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., performs across the country promoting "June Is Black Music Month!" - CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ - Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!" Founder of the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP), Myers also conducts youth jazz workshops and lectures on African American jazz legacy. The NAJJP is the sponsor of several Juneteenth Jazz Legacy Concerts and African American Art Exhibits during Black Music Month, including the historic African-American jazz legacy cities of Kansas City, MO and Omaha, NB. For more information on the 2012 National Juneteenth Board Meeting & Conference contact Dr. Myers at 662-392-2016, or 662-247-1471; e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com, web sites: www.NationalJuneteenth.com or www.Juneteenth.us and www.JuneteenthJazz.com. |