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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING ST. JOSEPH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND PROVIDENCE ST. MEL’S SCHOOL SUPPORT IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF JUNETEENTH NATIONAL HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, in recognition of the efforts of Reverend Donald McFadden of St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, Adrienne Turner at Providence St. Mel's School, and the African-American Awareness & Appreciation Parade Celebrating committee for hosting the 4th Annual Juneteenth National Holiday Observance and Flag Raising Ceremony; and
WHEREAS, St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, Providence St. Mel's School, and the African-American Awareness & Appreciation Parade Celebrating committee formed a partnership to promote and educate the community about the remembrance of the Juneteenth national holiday; and
WHEREAS, this partnership is celebrating its 4th Annual Juneteenth National Holiday Observance and Flag Raising Ceremony; and
WHEREAS, for 150 years, Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, continues to be the most recognized African-American holiday observance in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the day freedom was proclaimed to all slaves in the south by Union Army General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, more than two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln; and
WHEREAS, in December of 1992, Reverend McFadden was elected Pastor of Saint Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, a historical landmark church committed to transforming lives on the westside of Chicago, Cook County and worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Providence St. Mel is home to more than 600 students from all walks of life. Since 1978, 100 percent of its seniors have been accepted to college, its academic accomplishments recognized by United States presidents; and
WHEREAS, this year’s theme, Juneteenth struggle: Conquering Our Past, Commemoration Our Present, and Committing to Our Future, underscores the noteworthiness of the committee’s efforts to remind and educate our youth about Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Donald McFadden of St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, along with Adrienne Hawkins-Turner, educator at Providence St. Mel’s and the co-founder/coordinator of the African-American Awareness & Appreciation Parade Celebrating committee, put together the annual parade and activities such as workshops, games, flag raising, food, marching bands, and speeches promoting unity and respect; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf residents of Cook County, hereby recognize the extraordinary efforts of the African-American Awareness & Appreciation Parade Celebrating committee instituting this critical educational remembrance of Juneteenth and its essential contribution to the educational viability of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be shared with the official coordinating committee: Rev. Donald McFadden of St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, Adrienne Turner of Providence St. Mel's School, and the African-American Awareness & Appreciation Parade Celebrating committee.
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