After a unanimous decision, the Tompkins County Legislature voted to make Juneteenth as a paid employee holiday.
Juneteenth is an annual celebration of Black liberation from slavery in the United States at the end of the Civil War. The holiday takes place on Sunday June 19, but the paid holiday will occur on Monday June 20.
Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes stated,
“I’m proud that Tompkins County will be an organization that celebrates Juneteenth as an official holiday. Juneteenth will stand alongside many other holidays we’re familiar with, and the County will continue to tell the story of Juneteenth to our staff and community. The efforts by WDIC, our county staff, and community members committed to this work are remarkable, and I thank them for their leadership.”
During the paid holiday on June 20th many Tompkins County offices will be closed to the public.
