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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNETEENTH
WHEREAS, 160 years ago on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, with news the Civil War ended and the enslaved were free; and
WHEREAS, prior to Major General Gordon Granger’s issuance of General Order No. 3, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. The Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves in the Confederate states, “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Subsequently, the issuance of General Order No.3 came nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863; and
WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation laid the groundwork for the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States and its territories; and
WHEREAS, formerly enslaved African Americans, along with free African Americans known as freedmen, 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, now, 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, for 160 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor and commemorate African American freedom throughout the country.
WHEREAS, now June 19th, is now officially recognized as a ceremonial holiday in all fifty (50) states in some form. Texas was the first to declare Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980 and Illinois in 2022. Additionally, twenty-nine (29) of the fifty states, recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday. Illinois recognized Juneteenth as a paid state holiday in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Cook County, the largest county in Illinois, and second largest county in the United States by population, declared Juneteenth a county holiday on December 17, 2020, with a unanimous vote; and
WHEREAS, in January 2021, Cook County established the Cook County Juneteenth Planning Committee 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, including the (1) Juneteenth Illinois Pres Conference, (2) Juneteenth Scholarship Reception, (3) panel discussions centered around Juneteenth program principles (Health, Justice, Education and Wealth), and other events celebrating the history and importance of Juneteenth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the President of the Board, along with the Cook County Board of Commissioners, do hereby honor and recognize the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth throughout Cook County; observing Juneteenth 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, a suitable copy of this resolution be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body to commemorate this auspicious occasion. Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd. District.
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