SB-0384, As Passed House, June 15, 2005

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 384

     A bill to designate the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth

National Freedom Day; and to designate November 26 of each year as

Sojourner Truth Day in the state of Michigan.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes that slavery existed in

this country for more than 200 years. Millions of African-Americans

were brought to this country as slaves stacked in the bottom of

slave ships in a 5- to 12-week journey across the Atlantic Ocean

known as the "middle passage". Although approximately 11-1/2

million African-Americans survived the voyage across the ocean, the

number of those who died in the inhuman conditions of the passage

is probably even higher. Once in this country, the captives were

subjected to whipping, castration, branding, and rape. The

legislature further observes that congress passed the thirteenth

amendment to the United States constitution on January 31, 1865,

abolishing slavery throughout the United States and its

territories. In the following months, spontaneous celebrations

erupted throughout the country whenever African-Americans learned

of their freedom. News of the amendment reached the states at

different times, and it was not until June 19, 1865 that the

message of freedom reached the slaves in the western states. In

honor of this great moment in the history of our nation, the

legislature declares that the third Saturday in June of each year

shall be known as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day". The

legislature encourages individuals, educational institutions, and

social, community, religious, labor, and business organizations to

pause on Juneteenth National Freedom Day and reflect upon the

strong survival instinct of the African-American slaves and the

excitement and great joy with which African-Americans first

celebrated the abolition of slavery. It is a reminder to all

Americans of the status and importance of Americans of African

descent as American citizens.

     (2) The legislature recognizes the fundamental contribution

Sojourner Truth made to the cause of abolition of slavery and the

establishment of equal rights for women and to several other

significant social reform and human justice movements in the

nineteenth century.  Truth toured the nation for over 40 years as a

forceful and passionate advocate for the dispossessed, using her

quick wit and fearless tongue to deliver her message of equality

and justice.  She lived in Battle Creek, Michigan, from 1857 until

her death on November 26, 1883.  Empowered by her religious faith,

the former slave worked tirelessly for many years to transform

national attitudes and institutions.  According to Nell Painter,

Princeton professor and Truth biographer, "No other woman who had

gone through the ordeal of slavery managed to survive with

sufficient strength, poise, and self-confidence to become a public

presence over the long term".  Designating Sojourner Truth Day in

the state of Michigan will not only acknowledge the importance of

this national figure in the antislavery and human justice

movements, but will also recognize her strong ties to the state

during her 26 years of residence here.  In recognition of this

great woman, the legislature declares November 26 of each year to

be known as "Sojourner Truth Day".