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A228, R260, H4731

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Mitchell, Govan, Harrell, Miller and Sellers
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22051ab08.doc

Introduced in the House on February 20, 2008
Introduced in the Senate on February 27, 2008
Passed by the General Assembly on April 9, 2008
Governor's Action: May 14, 2008, Signed

Summary: Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2/20/2008  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-13
   2/20/2008  House   Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial 
                        Resolutions HJ-13
   2/21/2008  House   Committee report: Favorable Invitations and Memorial 
                        Resolutions HJ-3
   2/22/2008          Scrivener's error corrected
   2/26/2008  House   Read second time HJ-21
   2/27/2008  House   Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-23
   2/27/2008  Senate  Introduced and read first time SJ-6
   2/27/2008  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-6
   2/29/2008  Senate  Referred to Subcommittee: Martin (ch), Malloy, Campsen, 
                        Williams, Massey
    4/2/2008  Senate  Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-10
    4/8/2008  Senate  Read second time SJ-11
    4/9/2008  Senate  Read third time and enrolled SJ-70
    5/8/2008          Ratified R 260
   5/14/2008          Signed By Governor
   5/27/2008          Copies available
   5/27/2008          Effective date 05/14/08
    6/4/2008          Act No. 228

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

2/20/2008
2/21/2008
2/22/2008
4/2/2008

(A228, R260, H4731)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-85 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE NINETEENTH DAY OF JUNE OF EACH YEAR IS DESIGNATED AS "JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM DAY" TO COMMEMORATE AND REFLECT ON THE FREEDOM OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS STATE AND NATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day, findings

SECTION    1.    The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1)    On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, to enforce President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and declare freedom for all slaves. Each year afterward, former Texas slaves and their descendents joined in a celebration of freedom on June nineteenth, and the day became known as "Juneteenth".

(2)    Across our nation, Americans continue to celebrate Juneteenth, a day to reflect on the sufferings of slavery and to remember the joyful declaration of freedom. It is a time of rejoicing with family and friends and a time for planning the future.

(3)    In South Carolina, the Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day gives us the opportunity to commemorate the heritage of our thriving African-American population. As we honor the courage and fortitude of their ancestors, we renew our commitment to combat injustice with the triumphant spirit of freedom.

Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day, designated

SECTION    2.    Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-85.    The nineteenth day of June of each year is designated as 'Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day' to commemorate and reflect on the freedom of African Americans and their contributions to this State and nation."

Time effective

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 8th day of May, 2008.

Approved the 14th day of May, 2008.

This web page was last updated on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 1:39 P.M.