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RESOLUTION NO. 06-184
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MAY 20,
2006, THROUGH JUNE 19, 2006, AS
"JUNETEENTH SEASON OF FREEDOM" IN
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND
FURTHER PROCLAIMING JUNE 19, 2006,
AS "JUNETEENTH DAY" IN ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida, has made the following determinations:
1. The American's Independence Day Movement, initiated by
the Declaration of Independence and the 4th of July, did not include
the enslaved descendants of African-Americans nor were they
recognized as full human beings.
Freedom from slavery was
initiated by the enforcement of the Emancipation proclamation on
January 1, 1863, and formally announced by Union General Gordon
Granger in Galveston, Texas on the 19th of June, 1865, through the
reading of General Order No.3, to the last group of slaves in
bondage.
That reading created America's 2nd Independence Day
Celebration and the oldest African-American holiday observance, the
19th of June, Juneteenth Independence Day; and as slaves found out
the Emancipation proclamation had been signed in 1863 they would
move north.
2. The 19th of June is the freedom forerunner to the 13th
Amendment, which implemented freedom for all slaves in the United
States, Juneteenth Independence Day completes the cycle of
Independence Day Celebration in America.
In 1997, the l05th
Congress of the United States passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 and
House Joint Resolution 56 officially recognizing Juneteenth
Independence Day in America.
3. The Juneteenth celebration commemorates the emancipation
of Southern Blacks on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the
signing of the Emancipation proclamation January 1, 1863.
4. Since its beginning as a celebration of freedom,
Juneteenth has evolved into a National Holiday for African-
Americans, a time of family gatherings and a time to recognize past
accomplishments and future hopes. It has also become a time for
all Americans to celebrate the freedom and justice of this great
country.
5. The local 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration theme for the
2006 event is honoring our past, celebrating our present and
looking to our future - united. The goal is to educate school
children about this historic holiday and the community encouraging
more people to participate and inspire community businesses and
organizations to work together.
NOW, THEREFORE BE :IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim May 20, 2006, through
June 19, 2006, as "JUNETEENTH SEASON OF FREEDOM" in St. Lucie
County, Florida.
2. This Board does hereby further proclaim June 19, 2006, as
"JUNETEENTH DAY" in St. Lucie County, Florida; and urges the
citizens of St. Lucie County to recognize and support this event.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 13th day of June, 2006.
ATTEST:
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
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COUNTY