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Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Observance of Juneteenth Holiday
<p style="text-align:center;"> </p><div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:1112px;background-color:#428bca;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#428bca" height="21" valign="middle" width="100%"><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2021 Press Releases</span></strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table width="16%" style="width:1112px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div><table style="width:1112px;text-align:center;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="82" style="text-align:left;width:71px;">CONTACT: </td><td width="253" style="text-align:left;width:1039px;">Trina S. Vincent<br />504-310-2590</td></tr></tbody></table><div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:1112px;border-spacing:3px;background-color:#f7ebc6;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="38%" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:#212073;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>JUNE 17, 2021</strong></span></td><td width="62%"><p align="right"><span style="color:#212073;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong></strong> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCES OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p>In recognition of Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation of Juneteenth becoming a legal holiday in the State of Louisiana and that all state offices will close for a half-day, the offices of the Louisiana Supreme Court will close at noon on Friday, June 18, 2021. The Louisiana Supreme Court Clerk of Court’s office, however, will remain open with reduced staff until 5:00 pm to receive filings, and Court Security will maintain a presence in the Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Courthouse to address the possibility of inclement weather.<br /><br />“This holiday provides a time to reflect on that day in our nation’s history when the promise of the Declaration of Independence that all are ‘created equal’ became a much more inclusive promise,” said Chief Justice John L. Weimer. “However, as a society, we still have work to do to ensure that the aspirational goal reflected in the Declaration becomes a reality.”<br /><br />In recognition of Juneteenth, the Chief Justice encourages courts throughout Louisiana to review the Governor’s press release and, guided by their workloads and discretion, observe Juneteenth in the spirit reflected in the Governor’s proclamation.<br /><br />As stated in that proclamation, “Juneteenth is a day of learning, sharing and honoring the history, culture, and achievements of African Americans across the state and nation in areas including education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics, sports, civil and human rights; … to date, 47 states in the nation, including Louisiana, have designated Juneteenth a holiday or a special day of recognition … in honor of the rich history and contributions of African Americans to our state and country; … Juneteenth honors the significant contributions and advances made by African Americans in our state, across our nation, and throughout the world, and commemorates the strength and resolve of African Americans throughout their history ….”<br /><br />On June 10, 2021, Governor Edwards signed House Bill 554 (ACT 128) enacting the Juneteenth celebration into law, making it a permanent state holiday. The law, co-authored by the entire Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, commemorates the official date of June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people that the Civil War had ended and that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them over two-and-a-half years prior.<br /><br />ACT 128 designates the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth Day throughout the State of Louisiana, in honor of the day African Americans celebrate Emancipation Day. Beginning in 2022, all state offices will be closed the Friday before that Saturday.<br /><br />On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution establishing June 19, 2021 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the United States House of Representatives, in a 415-14 vote, passed similar legislation. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Thursday, June 17, 2021.<br /><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>For more information visit <a href="https://www.lasc.org/">lasc.org</a> or contact Louisiana Supreme Court Public Information Specialist/Coordinator Trina S. Vincent at <a href="mailto:tvincent@lasc.org">tvincent@lasc.org</a> or (504) 310-2590.</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>-30-</strong></p>