An Alabama State House committee on Wednesday approved a that would make Juneteenth a state holiday.
The House State Government committee unanimously passed HB165 sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Abbeville.
Juneteenth, or June 19, commemorates the day upon which Black slaves learned of their emancipation in 1865.
Former President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, said he thought the legislation was overdue to become law since Gov. Kay Ivey has recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday since 2021.
“In my district, the city of Dothan celebrates it as a holiday, the county celebrates it as a holiday, it’s a federal holiday and the governor has declared it the last four years in a row,” Rehm said.
“We’re already paying for the holiday and I just feel that the governor shouldn’t have to do our job for us. I think we should make it a state holiday.”
Rehm’s bill passed on a substitute that made Juneteenth and Jefferson Davis Day both state holidays.
Therefore both days will be observed with the closing of state offices.
Jefferson Davis Day is observed on the first Monday of June and Juneteenth would be recognized on June 19.
Under the initial version of Rehm’s bill gave state employees would have to choose between Juneteenth or Jefferson Davis Day to observe as a state holiday.
Jefferson Davis was the former president of the Confederate States which fought to preserve slavery during the Civil War.
Democratic lawmakers have attempted to pass similar bills in the legislature concerning Juneteenths status as a state holiday. However, those attempts all failed in the Republican-controlled legislature.
Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, said that he hopes those lawmakers that have attempted to pass Juneteenth legislation are given their recognition if Rehm’s bill makes it through the legislature.
The legislation will move for consideration by the full House.
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