Those being, Ms. Roxie Moore, Mr. Roscoe Harrison, Ms. Genevieve Womack Greggs, Mr. & Mrs. Willie G. Floyd and Mr. & Mrs. James Jackson to name a few. Their mission of the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration began at the once known site near Belton called the “Bend of the River”
Wanting to make it a more recognized event and part of history, the pioneers contact a candidate seeing office for state for
the Houston area named Mr. Al Edwards. Mr. Edwards had been in the process of going to Washington to lobby for the 19th of June, known as Juneteenth, becoming a recognized Texas Holiday. His success was eventually achieved after a few years. In 1979 house bill 1016 was lobbied and passed a Texas holiday to celebrate June 19th as a Juneteenth Celebration Day. After several years, the Celebration was moved to the Temple area in 1995. The Temple Chapter #111 was founded later as the National Juneteenth Association, later being changed to Al Edwards Juneteenth USA Association with many branches and chapters taking place around the states to celebrate the 19th of Juneteenth as a holiday. The Temple Juneteenth Association is a non-profit organization that continue to preserve and celebrate the path that became the stepping stones to dedicate and encourage others in doing charitable deeds that would benefit and promote higher education for our youth, learning mentoring and contributing to making a difference as future pioneers in appreciation to our past pioneers historical efforts of freedom and equality.
