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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE JUNETEENTH MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, for over 150 years, Juneteenth, also known as “Emancipation Day,” and “Freedom Day,” continues to be the most recognized and the oldest African American commemorations in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on September 22nd, 1862, amid the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that as of January 1, 1863, slaves in the Confederate states, “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;” and
WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation laid the groundwork for the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery throughout the United States and its territories; and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, two and half years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free; and
WHEREAS, African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest region of the United States of America celebrated June 19th, commonly known as “Juneteenth Independence Day” as the anniversary of their emancipation; and
WHEREAS, African Americans from the Southwest region continued the tradition of celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and
WHEREAS, for more than 150 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor and commemorate African American freedom throughout the country.
WHEREAS, June 19th, is now officially recognized as a ceremonial holiday in forty-seven of the fifty states, with Texas being the first to declare Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980 and Illinois in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Cook County, the largest county in Illinois declared Juneteenth a county holiday on December 17,2020 with a unanimous vote; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Juneteenth Planning Committee was established in January 2021 partnering with organizations and communities to celebrate contributions of the many African Americans from the past and present whose families were liberated, thereby allowing them to be free today; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Juneteenth Planning Committee partners with separate elected officials, community based organizations, residents, and Juneteenth Illinois NFP Inc. on its annual Juneteenth Illinois Celebration, an entire month of events and programs that includes the (1) Juneteenth Illinois Pres Conference, (2) Juneteenth Scholarship Reception, (3) panel discussions centered around Juneteenth program principles (Health, Justice, Education and Wealth), (4) the annual Charles R. Drew Blood Drive hosted by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, and (5) a vendor resource fair at Malcolm X College.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President of the Board, along with the Cook County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim June 2024 as Juneteenth Month in Cook County; observing this month with appropriate activities to heighten awareness of Juneteenth and to stimulate continuing inquiry into this rich vein of the American experience; and hereby commemorate the month of June as Juneteenth Month in Cook County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body to commemorate this auspicious occasion
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