SUBJECT: Governor Douglas Proclaims Saturday, June 20, 2009 Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today announced that he has proclaimed this Saturday, June 20, 2009 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont.

“I want to thank Shirley Boyd-Hill and the Reverend Roy V. Hill, II for their tremendous efforts to pass Legislation declaring the third Saturday in June annually, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont,” said Governor Douglas. Juneteenth is an important annual tribute to the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery in our country. And it serves as a reminder to us all that we must speak out against hate, violence and discrimination against all humans. I hope Vermonters will join me in commemorating Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Vermont.”

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