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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Grand Prairie gather each year to |
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recognize an important milestone in this nation's history at the |
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city's annual Juneteenth celebration and parade; and |
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WHEREAS, The oldest known observance commemorating the end of |
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slavery in the United States, Juneteenth specifically celebrates |
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the emancipation of African American slaves in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger |
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arrived in Galveston with federal troops to provide military |
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support for Reconstruction efforts and to enforce President Abraham |
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Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation; that same day, General |
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Granger read publicly his General Order No. 3, which proclaimed |
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that all slaves were undeniably free from that date onward and that |
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there would be "an absolute equality of rights and rights of |
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property between former masters and slaves"; and |
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WHEREAS, Held on June 19 of each year, the commemoration of |
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this momentous event became known as "Juneteenth," and celebrations |
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grew over the decades to include recitations of the Emancipation |
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Proclamation, readings by notable people, and such festive |
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activities as singing, parades, rodeos, street fairs, and cookouts; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Juneteenth has been observed as an official holiday |
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in Texas since 1980, when legislation introduced by African |
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American State Representative Al Edwards during the 1979 |
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legislative session took effect; with the adoption of that bill, |
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this special day became the first emancipation holiday in the |
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country to be granted official state recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, A much-anticipated event, the Juneteenth |
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celebration in Grand Prairie offers a fitting opportunity to honor |
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the myriad achievements and immeasurable fortitude of the African |
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American community in the Lone Star State and beyond; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the annual |
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Grand Prairie Juneteenth celebration and parade and extend to all |
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those involved in organizing the event sincere appreciation for |
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their efforts. |
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Turner of Tarrant |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 135 was adopted by the House on |
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October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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