Tennessee House to oversee Juneteenth bill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee is looking to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

The bill passed the state Senate last week.

Today, a House committee is scheduled to take a look at the bill. It is called House Bill 317.

Juneteenth is currently only recognized as a “day of special observance” in Tennessee.

The holiday is observed on June 19th each year.

It celebrates the date when the last slaves found out they were free.

Supporters include Chattanooga Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod and the Unity Group of Chattanooga.

The Unity Group of Chattanooga previously created a petition to support making Juneteenth a state holiday.