ATLANTA, Ga., June 18 – AAHOA Interim President & CEO Ken Greene issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law:
“America’s hoteliers applaud President Biden and the Congress for establishing Juneteenth as a legal public holiday. It is fitting that it is the first new holiday created since 1983 when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law. It is a great day for America. The day represents the end of slavery in the United States, and the timing could not be more appropriate.
“After the death of George Floyd last year, the eruption of protests highlighted the systemic racism in our country and reopened the dialogue about a subject that has plagued our country for centuries. Following the protests, many businesses, companies, and organizations made promises to do better when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is easy to verbally commit to things, but the actions are what our community sees and believes. While America is taking great steps forward when it comes to equality, this is long overdue and is also a reminder that we still have a long way to go. As AAHOA’s new Interim President & CEO, I am committed to making good on that promise.”
