STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Vainieri Huttle, Reynolds-Jackson and Assemblyman Holley
SYNOPSIS
Changes date of “Juneteenth Independence Day” in NJ to June 19 of each year.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act to change the date of “Juneteenth Independence Day,” and amending the title and body of P.L.2004, c.3 (C.36:2-80).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The title of P.L.2004, c.3 (C.36:2-80) is amended to read as follows:
AN ACT designating [the third Saturday in] June 19 of each year as "Juneteenth Independence Day" in New Jersey.
(cf. P.L.2004, c.3, Title)
2. Section 2 of P.L.2004, c.3 (C.36:2-80) is amended to read as follows:
2. [The third Saturday in] June 19 of each year is hereby designated as "Juneteenth Independence Day" in New Jersey to commemorate and celebrate the emancipation of African-Americans and foster respect for all cultures.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.3, s.2)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, the third Saturday in June is designated as “Juneteenth Independence Day.” This bill would change that date to June 19. The reason for this change is that June 19, 1865 is the date when enslaved Africans in Texas were informed of the end of the Civil War and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Therefore, it is appropriate for New Jersey to make this change so that “Juneteenth Independence Day” can be observed on June 19 of each year.