Minnesota Session Laws - 2010 Regular Session

CHAPTER 245--S.F.No. 2580

An act

relating to state government; modifying provisions governing observance of Juneteenth;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 10.55.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 10.55, is amended to read:

10.55 JUNETEENTH.

new text begin (a) new text end deleted text begin June 19 deleted text end new text begin The third Saturday in June new text end is designated Juneteenth in recognition of the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas new text begin by Union soldiers led by General Granger. The announcement came 2-1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Lee's surrender in April 1865. Juneteenth and emancipation celebrations have been commonplace in Minnesota since 1889 as a result of community-based grassroots efforts new text end .

new text begin (b) Each year the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance and recognizing the important contributions African-Americans have made to Minnesota's communities, culture, and economy. new text end The governor may new text begin also new text end take any new text begin additional new text end action necessary to promote and encourage the observance of Juneteenth and public schools may offer instruction and programs on the occasion.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor April 13, 2010

Signed by the governor April 15, 2010, 12:05 p.m.