HB 157-PROCLAIM JUNETEENTH DAY A HOLIDAY  3:10:36 PM CHAIR SHAW announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 157, "An Act establishing Juneteenth Day as a legal holiday." 3:11:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT, prime sponsor, presented HB 157, which would elevate Juneteenth to the level of other legal holidays, th such as July 4 and Labor Day. By doing so, he hoped that history would be better understood in Alaska and America; additionally, that ideals, such as freedom and justice, could be applied equally. He emphasized that the grandparents of millions of Americans were denied the right to vote, marry across race, or attend segregated schools. He believed that [Juneteenth] was an opportunity to move forward and reflect. 3:13:04 PM FORREST WOLF, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Wright, prime sponsor of HB 157, paraphrased the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: In 1865, union soldiers landed at Galveston, TX. with news that the war had ended. This news meant that enslaved people were now free. Since 1865, people across the world have joined together to celebrate an important day. Juneteenth- also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day- is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of previously enslaved peoples in America. Each year on June 19th, people of all races join one another in fellowship to honor those who gave so much for America and educate themselves about the struggles toward liberation for Black Americans. Juneteenth has been recognized and celebrated throughout Alaska. There have been events ranging from parades to street fairs. House Bill 157 would make Juneteenth an observed legal state holiday alongside July 4th and Memorial Day. This bill would make Juneteenth a paid state holiday. MR. WOLF proceeded to the sectional analysis [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Section 1. This section amends AS 44.12.010(a), the Statute regarding legal holidays. Specifically, it requires that June 19th, known as Juneteenth Day, be considered a legal holiday. Section 2. This section amends AS 44.12.020, the statute regarding holidays that fall on a Sunday, with conforming language that reflects Section 1 of this bill. Section 3. This section repeals AS 44.12.090. 3:14:34 PM CHAIR SHAW inquired about the fiscal note. MR. WOLF said the various fiscal notes reflected the fact that th employees would be absent from work on June 19. 3:15:06 PM ELVI-GRAY JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, spoke in favor of HB 157 and emphasized its importance. In addition to being a federal holiday, she noted that Juneteenth was a holiday in the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA). She expressed her hope that the bill would make it to the finish line this legislative session. 3:16:07 PM CHAIR SHAW opened public testimony on HB 157. After ascertaining that no one wished to testify, he closed public testimony. 3:16:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed her appreciation for the bill. She said there was a lack of education about the history of th [Juneteenth] and shared her belief that making June 19 an official state holiday would be informative. CHAIR SHAW announced that the bill would be held over.