<div dir="ltr"><p>Dear Campus Community,</p><p>Today, we recognize Juneteenth as a moment of profound historical and cultural significance. It is a day to honor the end of slavery in the United States and to reflect on the ongoing work of equity and justice.</p><p>At SUNY Plattsburgh, we are committed to fostering a community where learning, inclusion, and respect are foundational. Juneteenth aligns closely with these values, reminding us of the power of education to elevate truth, amplify voices, and drive change.</p><p>Please see the message below from SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees in recognition of this important day.</p><p>Sincerely,<br>Dr. Alexander Enyedi<br>President</p><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">SUNY Communications</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:communications@suny.edu">communications@suny.edu</a>></span><br>Date: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM<br>Subject: Statement from Chancellor King and SUNY Board of Trustees on Recognition of Juneteenth<br>To: <<a href="mailto:SUNYPIO-L@ls.sysadm.suny.edu">SUNYPIO-L@ls.sysadm.suny.edu</a>><br></div><br><br><div class="msg5314677092720253719">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 19, 2025<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Contact: Holly Liapis,
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a href="mailto:Holly.Liapis@suny.edu" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Holly.Liapis@suny.edu</span></a></span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">,
(518) 477-0757</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Statement from Chancellor King and SUNY Board of Trustees on Recognition of Juneteenth<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“Juneteenth—June 19, 1865—is not the day the Civil War ended, or the day President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but we mark it because it
is the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally gained knowledge of their liberation. Celebrating ‘Freedom Day’ on Juneteenth is a reflection that in knowledge comes true liberation.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“We celebrate freedom from bondage on Juneteenth, but also freedom from ignorance and freedom from the denial of information. At SUNY, we believe that true
liberation is not merely the right to self-determination, but also the ability to receive knowledge and uplift oneself through education and empowerment.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“Our great state had the foresight to ensure that SUNY would provide a world-class education to everyone. Our mission, which we hold dear, clearly
<a name="m_5314677092720253719__Int_tdzv6PDR">states</a> that we will … <i>provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population in a complete range of academic, professional
and vocational postsecondary programs</i>. Juneteenth is such a special holiday at SUNY because it reminds us that knowledge empowers and changes individual lives and entire societies. Knowledge can be a key to freedom, a bridge to justice, and a steppingstone
to a brighter future. </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“In recent months and years, we’ve experienced attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, troubling and baseless attempts to erase the tragic sin of slavery
through banning books and teaching history lessons in some states that downplay racist parts of our history. In this context, observing Juneteenth—and reflecting on the horrific institution of slavery and its impact on our modern lives—matters. It assures
us that we will not forget this painful and complicated part of our past as a nation, and that we’ll do the work still necessary so that all Americans, regardless of race, have equal opportunities to live freely.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“We are proud to reaffirm our deep commitment to education—including study of the truth of our nation’s brightest accomplishments and our darkest of days.
That knowledge, just like all history, must be preserved so that we can learn from it, grow from it, and ensure that we build a better, fairer, and more just society.”
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