(reverent orchestral music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the Crosscut KCTS 9 newsroom.

Communities across Washington have celebrated Juneteenth and the end of slavery in this country long before the state first recognized the holiday in 2007.

Now, advocates and state lawmakers want to become the fifth state to recognize June 19th as an official state holiday.

State Representative Melanie Morgan, Democrat from Parkland, has introduced House Bill 1016, which would elevate Juneteenth to a paid holiday.

One of many Juneteenth festivities is in the Tri-Cities, where, since 2003, the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant kicks off a week-long celebration.

The contestants are judged on current events knowledge, not their physical appearance.

The pageant was mentioned in the bill's hearing as one of the many beloved Juneteenth celebrations around the state.

Representative Morgan recognizes that the bill by itself does not address larger issues of inequity.

Bill opponents are concerned about the cost to state payroll during pandemic recovery.

I'm Starla Sampaco.

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