Lt. Governor Bysiewicz Statement on Juneteenth Day in Connecticut

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has issued a proclamation declaring June 19, 2021 to be Juneteenth Day in Connecticut. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz also issued the following statement:

"I am honored to join with Governor Lamont in proclaiming tomorrow, Saturday, June 19th to be Juneteenth Day in Connecticut. 156 years ago tomorrow, and over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, General Order 3 was issued in Texas, declaring every man, woman, and child free. Juneteenth serves as a solemn reminder of the continued work we must do to repair the centuries-long harm done as a result of slavery, racism, and segregation. I am also grateful today to President Biden and leaders in congress for the passage and signing of historic legislation declaring today to be the first Juneteenth National Independence Day recognized as a federal holiday.

In Connecticut, Governor Lamont and I have worked to address systemic racism in our society with historic investments made in childcare, job training, affordable housing, healthcare, and education equity from pre-k to free community college, in communities of color in our state. We also passed, with our legislative partners, historic police accountability and criminal justice reform legislation in pursuit of a more equitable and just criminal justice and law enforcement system. While there is progress to celebrate, Juneteenth should be a day for citizens and leaders across our state to rededicate ourselves to the fight for greater equity and justice in our state and our country."