00                            SENATE BILL NO. 71                                                                          
01 "An Act establishing the third Saturday of each June as Juneteenth Day."                                                
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1.  AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to article 2 to read:                                    
04            Sec. 44.12.090.  Juneteenth Day.  Juneteenth Day is established on the third                               
05       Saturday in June each year to commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the                                 
06       United States and its territories in 1865 and to remind all Americans of the status and                           
07       importance of Americans of African descent as American citizens.  The governor shall                              
08       issue a proclamation to commemorate the day.  Juneteenth Day may be observed by                                   
09       suitable observances and exercises by civic groups and the public, and citizens of the                            
10       state are urged to reflect on the suffering and sacrifice endured by millions of early                            
11       African-Americans and to appreciate the unique freedom and equality enjoyed by all                                
12       state citizens today.