Cayuga County could soon add another holiday to its calendar.
Cayuga County Legislator Brian Muldrow is pushing for the county to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday. He has introduced a resolution that would designate June 19 as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” recognizing the day’s historical significance in the nation, state, and county.
Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, Muldrow said it’s important to recognize holidays and the important events they commemorate.
“It’s a holiday; all holidays should be recognized and the importance of this holiday is the freedom of all people,” Muldrow said.
He added that he estimates he has received hundreds of phone calls in support of the resolution.
Currently, county staff have 12 holidays off. This resolution authorizes the chair of the legislature, currently Aileen McNabb-Coleman, to sign “any agreements or documents required to implement the intent of this Resolution with the County unions and for County employees.”
By recognizing the holiday, county employees would either get the day off or receive holiday pay for working that day. The resolution also states that if June 19 falls on a Saturday, the holiday will be observed on Friday the 18th and, if it falls on a Sunday, the observation will take place on Monday the 20th.
The resolution passed the legislature’s Government Operations Committee on Tuesday, and the Ways & Means Committee on Thursday. The next step will be for a vote at the legislature’s full meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, January 23.
In 2020, New York State passed a law recognizing Juneteenth as a public holiday, and, in 2021, it became a federal holiday. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last remaining enslaved African Americans were emancipated in Texas, ending slavery in the United States. The holiday is also seen as a broad celebration of African American culture.
“If you look at the 4th of July, everybody celebrates the 4th of July. This is typically African Americans’ 4th of July, and we need to celebrate it accordingly. We need to have the same recognition,” Muldrow continued. “It’s not just a holiday for black and brown people; it’s a holiday for the entire country.”
Muldrow, the only African American member of the legislature, represents District 11 which is comprised of the southwestern quadrant of the City of Auburn.
