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RESOLUTION NO. 07 -188
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MAY 20, 2007,
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007, AS "JUNETEENTH
SEASON OF FREEDOM" IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, AND FURTHER PROCLAIMING JUNE 19,
2007, 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 I, 1863, ond formally announced by Union General Gordon
Gronger in Galveston, Texas on the 19,h of June, 1865, through the reading of General Order No.3, to
the last group of slaves in bondage. That reading created America's 2'" Independence Day Celebration
and the oldest African-American holiday observance, the 19,h of June, Juneteenth Independence Day;
and as slaves found out the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed in 1863 they would move north.
2. The 19,h of June is the freedom forerunner to the 13,h 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 105,h 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 ond a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation January I, 1863.
4. Since its beginning as a celebration of freedom, Juneteenth has evolved into a Nationol
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 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration theme for the 2007 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, 2007, through June 19, 2007, as
"JUNETEENTH SEASON OF FREEDOM" in St. Lucie County, florida.
2. This Board does hereby further proclaim June 19, 2007, 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 15'h day of May, 2007.
DEPUTY CLERK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LU;;5 COUNTY, .FL. O.R. IDA
á141
BY r.."., . Y
CHAIR
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
CORRE ESS: