Rhode Island H8630: HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING "JUNETEENTH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY" ON JUNE 19, 2026

What the bill says

From the introduced text, June 11, 2026:

2026 -- H 8630 ======== LC006119 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ HOUSERESOLUTION RECOGNIZING "JUNETEENTH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY" ON JUNE 19, 2026 Introduced By: Representatives Biah, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Hopkins, Santucci, Handy, Ajello, Furtado, and Kislak Date Introduced: June 11, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed WHEREAS, Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, in celebration of the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in America. The tradition of marking the end of slavery with Emancipation Day celebrations had an earlier beginning in South Carolina on January 1, 1863, in recognition of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Even earlier celebrations of emancipation date back to when slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire on August 1, 1834; and WHEREAS, Each year after 1834, on August 1, major emancipation celebrations were organized across the West Indies and American cities with free African heritage populations. The Rhode Island cities of Providence, Newport and East Providence were early sites for major Emancipation Day celebrations and festivals dating back to the 1850s. During the 20th century, tens of thousands of people attended Emancipation Day events at Roger Williams Park, Rocky Point, and Crescent Park; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth is part of a number of emancipation celebrations that date back to the early 19th century, and on …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Nathan Biah (D) · primary sponsor
• Christopher Blazejewski (D)
• Katherine Kazarian (D, HD-063)
• Michael Chippendale (R, HD-040)
• Marie Hopkins (R, HD-021)
• Paul Santucci (R)
• Arthur Handy (D, HD-018)
• Edith Ajello (D, HD-001)
• Jenni Azanero Furtado (D, HD-064)
• Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)

Latest actions

1. June 11, 2026: House read and passed

Common questions

What is H8630?

H8630 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING "JUNETEENTH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY" ON JUNE 19, 2026.

What is the status of H8630?

Passed both chambers as of June 11, 2026. Latest action: House read and passed (June 11, 2026).

Who sponsored H8630?

Nathan Biah (D), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H8630?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8630.pdf