DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – The effort to make Juneteenth a state holiday continues this legislative session. District 85 Representative Rick Rehm leads the charge.
Similar efforts were attempted during the last session through a bill that, in addition to adding Juneteenth, would allow state employees to choose between that holiday and Jefferson Davis’ birthday.
So far, it has had two favorable readings in two different House committees.
Rehm says the passage would mean a lot to many, especially to a person in District 85 who brought it to his attention.
“Evangeline Gunn is the first contact I had for a discussion of Juneteenth in Dothan because, keep in mind, it is a federal holiday, a city holiday, and a county holiday. She is the one who pointed out to me ‘Why isn’t this a state holiday?’ I responded, ‘I don’t know, that is a good question,‘“ Rep. Rehm said.
Representative Rehm believes he has the votes to get it through the House, the senators’ support, and the governor’s office’s support to sign the bill if it passes.
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