Juneteenth: A Celebrated Holiday in Alabama
DOTHAN, Alabama (WDHN) — Juneteenth, recognized as a national holiday, has also been officially established as a state observance in Alabama since recent years. This important milestone was championed by State Representative Rick Rehm (R-Ala.) from Dothan.
In an interview, Rep. Rehm explained his pivotal role in making this holiday a reality. "I filed the bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday, and we successfully amended it. It passed through precisely three committees—two in the House and one in the Senate," he noted.
While Rep. Rehm takes pride in his legislative efforts, he is quick to credit the Tri-State Expo organization for bringing the significance of Juneteenth to his attention. "Evangeline Gunn, who leads this local Dothan group, highlighted that Juneteenth wasn’t recognized as a state holiday. After considering its importance, I agreed it deserved recognition," he added.
Established in 2017, the Tri-State Expo Juneteenth Affairs Incorporated (TSEJA) is a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating this vital date. Under the leadership of Executive Director Evangeline Gunn, TSEJA emphasizes the significance of Juneteenth for Indigenous communities, African Americans, and descendants of the African Diaspora.
Through a variety of family-friendly activities, educational programs, and delicious food prepared by talented local chefs, TSEJA aims to foster unity within the Wiregrass region. "I feel really good about our progress," said Rep. Rehm, reflecting on the growth of this celebration. "It represents our history, and we should acknowledge both the good and the bad."
Rep. Rehm expressed enthusiasm for the holiday, noting its importance in educating people about the past. "I’ll admit, I didn’t learn much about Juneteenth in school, and many people still don’t… Recognizing our history, including the details surrounding the liberation of the last enslaved people in the United States, helps us understand who we are today," he stated.
On June 19th, Rep. Rehm plans to join the festivities in Enterprise, Alabama, honoring this significant day known as Jubilee Day. Through these celebrations, local leaders hope to inspire broader recognition and understanding of history in Alabama and beyond.