HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-173RESOLUTION NO. 10-173
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING JUNE 1,
2010 THROUGH JULY 4, 2010 AS
"JUNETEENTH SEASON OF FREEDOM"
IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND
FURTHER PROCLAIMING JUNE 19, 2010,
AS "JUNETEENTH DAY" IN ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made
the following determinations:
WHEREAS, American's Independence Day Movement, initiated by the Declaration of
Independence and the 4t" of July, 1776, did not include enslaved African-Americans as they were
not 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 19t" of June, 1865 through the reading of General
Order No. 3, to the last group of slaves in bondage, creating America's 2"d Independence Day
Celebration, Juneteenth Independence Day, observed on the 19t" of June as the oldest African-
American holiday; and
WHEREAS, the 19`" of June is the freedom forerunner to the 13t" Amendment, which
implemented freedom forall slaves in the United States,Juneteenth Independence Daycomptetes
the cycle of Independence Day Celebrations in America. In 1997, the 105t" Congress of the United
States passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56 officially recognizing
Juneteenth Independence Day in America; and
WHEREAS, 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.
The memory of all those who moved from slavery to freedom remains as a lesson for all Americans
regardless of their background, race or religion; and
WHEREAS, the Florida legislature issued an apology on March 26, 2008, expressing
profound regret for the shameful history of enslaving black .people and passing laws that
sanctioned involuntary servitude upon generations of African slaves.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim June 1, 2010 through July 4, 2010 as
"JUNETEENTH SEASON OF FREEDOM" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
2. This Board does hereby further proclaim June 19, 2010, as "JUNETEENTH
DAY" in St. Lucie County, Florida for all Americans as a time to learn more about our common
past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped our Nation.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 8t"day of June 2010.
ATTEST:
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE CO, LINTY, FLORIDA
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APPROVE[
CORRECT
AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
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