Press Releases07/08/2025 05:17:18 PMNorthern hosts 5th annual Juneteenth observanceNorthern hosted it’s fifth annual Juneteenth observance on June 27. The ceremonies honored June 19, 1865, the day the U.S. troupes informed slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. From left: New Mexico State Senator Harold Pope, Jerome Williams, retiring Drum Major Award recipient, Eric Chavez, Field Representative for Senator Ben Ray Luján, NNMC President Hector Baldez, Willie Williams, State Director of the New Mexico National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Española City Councilor Sam LeDoux, NNMC Board of Regents Chair Michael Martin, AJ Pacheco, Field Representative for Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández and Dr. Cedric Hamilton, 2025 recipient of the Drum Major Award.Arin McKennaAmy Penaamy.pena@nnmc.eduPress Releases