Chief Judge James McCabria signed an administrative order today (Jan. 25) that adds Juneteenth as a holiday beginning this year for the Seventh Judicial District. In the order, it states June 19th marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The order also recognizes:

• On June 17, 2021, June 19 officially became a federal holiday and on December 15, 2021, the Douglas County Commission approved adding Juneteenth as a paid holiday for Douglas County employees.
• Douglas County has a rich history closely intertwined with the efforts to end slavery, including events leading up to, through and after the U.S. Civil War.
• Recognizing Juneteenth reflects the importance the rule of law occupies in our system of government.