CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 133

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2021

 

RE:    S.B. No. 939

       H.D. 2

       C.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sirs:

 

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 939, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO JUNETEENTH DAY,"

 

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish June 19 of each year as Juneteenth in recognition of the history and legacy of slavery in the United States and in honor of the significant roles and contributions of African Americans in the history of the United States.

 

     Your Committee on Conference finds that Hawaii is one of only three states that have not recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday or special day of observance.  Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, was the day in 1865 that Union soldiers rode into Galveston, Texas, declaring the end of the Civil War and that all slaves were free.  The holiday is a celebration of African American freedom and achievement, encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.  Your Committee on Conference further finds that as a state that prides itself on diversity and inclusivity, it is long overdue for the State to fully live out the Aloha spirit and stand with the forty-six states that have chosen to make Juneteenth an annual day of remembrance and celebration.

 

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.  

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 939, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 939, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

 

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

 

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

 

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES

Co-Chair

 

____________________________

SHARON MORIWAKI

Chair

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI

Co-Chair

 

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI

Co-Chair

____________________________

BERTRAND KOBAYASHI

Co-Chair