156 years ago, on June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned from Union soldiers that they were free — more than two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Since then, “Juneteenth”, or “Freedom Day” has been commemorated each June 19^th, though largely in Black Southern communities – more widely recognized only in recent years. Yesterday, President Biden signed a law designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Cal Maritime applauds this new designation and joins others in commemorating and acknowledging the significance of this day now and in the years ahead. We believe Juneteenth is important time for us to reflect on the long and difficult legacy of slavery. We support a more focused study of the national climate regarding issues of race, from learning more specifically about anti-Black racism to taking the opportunity to think deeply about what each of us can do individually and as a community to promote understanding, change, and increased racial equality.