On celebrating Juneteenth as a nationwide vacation, we should always acknowledge a strong pioneer who, by means of a long time of advocacy, elevated the standing of Juneteenth, acquired it on the federal radar and paved the best way for Juneteenth to be made a nationwide vacation in 2021. His achievements and legacy ought to be celebrated for the innumerable contributions he made all through his life educating and selling the importance and significance of Juneteenth.
The late Albert Ely Edwards, born March 19, 1937 and generally known as the Father of Juneteenth, was the catalyst for Juneteenth changing into a federal vacation now celebrated by People throughout the nation. Edwards understood how vital it was for the emancipation of enslaved Black People to be acknowledged on a nationwide scale and he knew the need of elevating consciousness of this painful chapter of American historical past borne by African People.
On the age of 41, Edwards entered politics and was elected to the Texas State Legislature from Houston’s Home District 146. His first main objective was to make sure the institution of a vacation that acknowledged the emancipation from slavery. In 1979, laws that he launched recognizing Juneteenth Day handed the Texas State Legislature and was signed into regulation. As a direct results of his stalwart and tireless advocacy, Juneteenth, also referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, grew to become an annual state vacation/observance in 49 states of the USA. Celebrated on June nineteenth, Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865, the final state to finish American enslavement and practically two full years after the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery was declared.
Throughout his profession, Edwards understood that for the U.S. Congress to take up making Juneteenth a nationwide vacation for a vote, it first wanted to go within the majority of the states. Due to this fact, whereas he served because the Vice Chairman of the Democratic Occasion’s Black Caucus for 10 years, the Nationwide Chairman of the Democratic Occasion’s Black Caucus for six years, a senior position within the Nationwide Convention of Black Legislators (26 years) and the Nationwide Convention of State Legislators (26 years), he used these nationwide relationships and platforms to encourage his state Black Caucus colleagues throughout the nation to go the identical or comparable laws of their states. He at all times believed that “till all Blacks have been free from bondage then none have been free”, and this drove him to deliver the Juneteenth Vacation from its origins as a Texas cultural vacation to the nation as a federal vacation and a vital piece of American historical past worthy of recognition on the highest degree. To facilitate his efforts, he based Juneteenth USA in 1985 to advocate and lift consciousness about Juneteenth. Juneteenth USA is the primary and oldest Juneteenth advocacy group within the nation and is at the moment led by his son, Jason Edwards.
The march to the nationwide vacation we rejoice immediately began the day the enslaved have been free, however the legislative course of began over 40 years in the past in Texas and culminated with Al Edwards’ shut buddy and Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Senator John Cornyn sponsoring the Federal Laws. Nevertheless, the highway was not a clean one, as Edwards didn’t have the total assist of the entire 15 Black legislators on the time, not to mention the greater than 130 white ones. By way of negotiation, compromise and “politicking”, as he known as it, he gained over the bulk to get HB1016 to the Governor’s desk.
Although deeply concerned with and dedicated to native points, Edwards remained energetic exterior the Texas State Legislature as effectively. In 1983, he was appointed as a member of the board of Operation PUSH. He additionally served because the Texas State Director for Reverend Jesse Jackson’s two presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988.
Sadly, Edwards handed away April 2020 on the age of 83 earlier than witnessing the fruit of his lifetime of labor attain the nationwide scale. Nevertheless, his work for the Black neighborhood will stay on.
All through his profession, significant connections have been made by means of his efforts combating for equal rights. Due to this fact, it was no shock the fantastic phrases his colleagues needed to share at his memorial service.
Congresswoman and civil rights chief Maxine Waters was a pricey buddy and work colleague of Edwards. They went on many missions collectively, together with the combat to launch Nelson Mandela from jail in 1963.
“He was a extremely efficient and vital member of the Texas legislature who created and chaired the Texas Black Legislative Caucus and served as Chair of the Democratic Nationwide Committee Black Caucus, ” mentioned Congresswoman Waters. “Al and I served on the DNC collectively. We each endorsed, supported and labored for Jesse Jackson for President. We each labored to get Nelson Mandela launched from jail and fought towards apartheid in South Africa. Al Edwards stood firmly within the face of staunch opposition and wielded his affect to make sure that the abolition of slavery in the USA and the emancipation of our ancestors was correctly acknowledged as a paid vacation within the state of Texas; consequently, he’s acknowledged all through the state and throughout the nation because the Indeniable father of the Juneteenth vacation.”
Persevering with her heartfelt speech, she acknowledged, “…..on behalf of the whole Congress of the USA of America, all of us honor his service and dedication to justice and equality. Love at all times your sister and, after all, Auntie Maxine.”
At Edwards’ memorial, civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson acknowledged the next, “Al Edwards is within the Corridor of Fame. He made sacrifices. We thank God for his life and legacy. We’re in his debt. Al, my brother, God bless you. And I wish to thanks. Thanks for at all times being there. See you in heaven quickly. Love you a lot Al Edwards. I’ll always remember you. I like you a lot and your loved ones.”
Added Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, “So, I say to all of you immediately, Frederick Douglass mentioned ‘there is no such thing as a energy with no wrestle.’ The scripture says ‘That our good and trustworthy servant has executed a job and it’s effectively executed.’ So, I say to Consultant Al Edwards, to the life that you simply led, creating the nationwide effort and motion with the state vacation of Juneteenth; honored by the USA Congress and galvanizing so many people to take your legacy and historical past that we’ve now created an Emancipation Path that may begin on the statue of Al Edwards in Galveston. So, to his household, I began by saying I considered him as a person who walked by means of historical past fearless and unfearing, with the grace of God and the love of a person who understood braveness and so immediately we honor him. And all I can say to you, stay his life inform his story as a result of historical past is who he’s.”
On Sunday, June 19, 2022, as you rejoice Juneteenth and its that means, take a second to recollect the Honorable Albert Ely Edwards. Bear in mind him as the person who for 40 years devoted his life to making sure America acknowledged and understood the significance of what the abolishment of slavery was to U.S. historical past and for all People. The servant-leader who tirelessly labored with state legislative our bodies throughout the nation to have this regulation handed on the state degree, which singularly created the opening for the initiative to make its technique to U.S. Congress, lastly, formally recognizing this big day as a federal vacation.
Content material for this text was offered by Jason Okay. Edwards, Chairman/President of Juneteenth U.S.A. Inc, a non-profit group. For extra info relating to the life and legacy of the late State Consultant Al Edwards Sr. or Juneteenth U.S.A., please attain out to jason@juneteenthusa.org.
