Missouri Govenor Matt Blunt agrees to support fulfillment of Juneteenth initiative.
Newly elected Missouri Govenor Matt Blunt meets with JHJF Director and takes notes as he listens to values of the State's Juneteenth intiative and HB640.
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Following the 2004 Gobernatorial elections, Missouri's new Governer Matt Blunt, pledge his support to fulfilling the goals and objectives of the privious General Assembly and Administration. In doing so, he has moved to strengthen the make up of the commission and supports funding a line item budget of $1.8m for establishing the annual Missouri Juneteenth Heritage & Jazz Festival event and memorial. Such a measure would make Missouri the first state to provide this structure and stability towards honoring the legacy and value of Black American contribution in celebrating Juneteenth.

On May 15, 2003, House Bill 640 reached the floor of the Missouri 92nd General Assembly for a vote. Overwhelmingly, the bill received support by both the Republican majority and Democratic minority. The bill was introduced by Missouri Representative and board member Juanita H. Walton on the house side and Rep. Rita Heard Days on the senate side. A few months later on July 10th, Governor Bob Holden signed the bill into law at St. Louis’ Harris Stowe College in the presence of college president Dr. Henry Givens, Wayman Smith III, chairman of the board of regents, the JHJF director, board members, invited guests and a host of legislators from both parties present.
June 18, 2004
Minority Senator Leader Maida Coleman addresses audience and other house members and introduce Govenor Bob Holden at Juneteenth reception.
On May 15, 2003, House Bill 640 reached the floor of the Missouri 92nd General Assembly for a vote. Overwhelmingly, the bill received support by both the Republican majority and Democratic minority. The bill was introduced by Missouri Representative and board member Juanita H. Walton on the house side and Rep. Rita Heard Days on the senate side. A few months later on July 10th, Governor Bob Holden signed the bill into law at St. Louis’ Harris Stowe College in the presence of college president Dr. Henry Givens, Wayman Smith III, chairman of the board of regents, the JHJF director, board members, invited guests and a host of legislators from both parties present.
June 18, 2004
Minority Senator Leader Maida Coleman addresses audience and other house members and introduce Govenor Bob Holden at Juneteenth reception.
JHJF Director Curtis Faulkner, flanked by Rep. Sherman Parker, former Senate Majority Leader now Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, addresses invited guest and supporters at bill signing with gratitude and thanks for their appreciation and aid in passage of this historic holiday legislation.
JHJF Director Faulkner addresses audience at sign ceremony of HB. 640 flanked by Rep. Sherman Parker and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.
June 18, 2004JHJF Director Faulkner with board member and legislator Juanita Head-Walton who sponsored Missouri Juneteenth Holiday Bill at Juneteenth Reception..

The following year on June 18th at a Juneteenth reception hosted by the Missouri Black Legislative Caucus Conference Foundation, the body of Black state legislators were present as Governor Holden issued Executive Order 04-14 establishing the commission that commenced in November of 2004. The introduction of HB 286 to solidify the commission were made as part of first line of business during the upcoming 94th General Assembly by Rep. Craig Bland of Kansas City, chairman of the Missouri Black Caucus.
Kansas City Rep. Sharon Brooks reads proclamation issued to JHJF at Scott Joplin House Juneteenth activity honoring Count Basie
As a tribute to this years jazz honoree William “Count” Basie, Rep. Sharon Brooks of Kansas City reads a proclamation issued by the State to JHJF Director at the Historic Scott Joplin House in St. Louis, as Senator Mary Bland, (seated) and Rep. Robin Jones look on.