| 
iStock photo
The push to make Juneteenth a state holiday has backing from the House’s top Democrat.
Juneteenth, a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States held each year on June 19, is recognized in Massachusetts by a gubernatorial proclamation. Amid a wave of national protests against racial injustice, bills have been filed in the House and Senate that would officially make the day a state holiday – similar to moves taken recently in some other states -– and Gov. Charlie Baker is open to putting a “bigger point” on the day.
Several local and national corporations gave their employees the day off or a half-day this year to mark the occasion and as a gesture towards righting centuries of wrongs against Black Americans.
The matter now seems likely to come before the House this week. An amendment that Springfield Rep. Bud Williams filed to a $1.1 billion COVID-19 spending bill (H.4802) that began moving in the House on Monday would declare Juneteenth to be an official state holiday. Williams’ amendment quickly earned an influential supporter – Speaker Robert DeLeo is the first lawmaker listed as a cosponsor.
“#Juneteenth reminds us of the most painful parts of America’s history and shows us that while progress is possible, we have much more to do,” DeLeo wrote on Twitter. “Proud to sign on to Rep. Williams’ Amendment #81 to make Juneteenth a state holiday.”
