Observance of the Juneteenth Holiday

Dear Colleagues,

Just a few hours ago, President Biden signed legislation into law that establishes June 19th as Juneteenth National Independence Day, as U.S. national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas, in accordance with President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. This is the first new federal holiday in the United States since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1983.

Consistent with President Biden’s announcement today, and our observance of Juneteenth last year, I have designated this Friday, June 18, 2021 as a day of reflection for the entire district community in celebration of the holiday. All college and district offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of the holiday so that we can engage in the scholarship, introspection, public service, or other means of personal enrichment necessary to help sustain us in our important equity work ahead. As president Biden so aptly stated earlier today, "We can't rest until the promise of equality is fulfilled for every one of us in every corner of this nation. That to me is the meaning of Juneteenth."

My sincere thanks for the work that you do every day in support of our community, our students, and each other.

Respectfully,

Bradley J. Davis
Chancellor
West Valley-Mission Community College District