ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's governor has signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees.
Juneteenth is observed on June 19 and commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will propose legislation next year to make it a permanent state holiday.
Today I will sign an Executive Order recognizing #Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees.
I will advance legislation to make it an official state holiday next year.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 17, 2020
Cuomo called it “a day we should all reflect upon” and “a day that is especially relevant in this moment in history.”
Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a state holiday, in 1980.
Cuomo also discussed the decline in coronavirus hospitalizations during his briefing, crediting the commitment of New Yorkers to following guidelines to stop the spread. He said most other states are seeing an increase in cases as they continue reopening.
According to the state, less than 1% of COVID-19 tests conducted on June 16 came back positive.
Really good news on testing.
NY tested 59,341 people for COVID yesterday.
Only 567 tests came back positive — 0.96% of total.
That is a record low.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 17, 2020
