H.R. No. 782
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The rich cultural heritage we enjoy as Texans is a
    1-2  multihued tapestry created from the contributions of the many
    1-3  diverse groups that have made their homes in our great state, and
    1-4  like Texans everywhere, the African-American communities across the
    1-5  state take great pride in recalling their historic legacy and their
    1-6  record of achievement with numerous community-wide celebrations and
    1-7  observances; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Foremost among these celebrations are the annual
    1-9  Juneteenth festivities that, in communities large and small, are
   1-10  often a high point in the yearly calendar of community events; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, Officially designated as Emancipation Day in Texas
   1-12  and declared a state holiday by the 66th Texas Legislature in 1979,
   1-13  Juneteenth commemorates the date on which President Abraham
   1-14  Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation became a reality for the
   1-15  state's many former slaves; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Although President Lincoln had made his famous
   1-17  proclamation years earlier, it was not recognized in Texas and did
   1-18  not have effect in the state until June 19, 1865, when Major
   1-19  General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston and issued a general
   1-20  order declaring that "in accordance with a proclamation from the
   1-21  Executive of the United States, all slaves are free"; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, This date marked a historic turning point for the
   1-23  African-American community and signaled the beginning of a long and
   1-24  difficult struggle by members of that community to assume their
    2-1  rightful place in an open and free society; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Mindful of the lessons to be learned from the past,
    2-3  aware of the necessity to persevere in a battle that has not yet
    2-4  been fully won, and proud nevertheless of the progress that has
    2-5  been made, the nonprofit organization known as Juneteenth USA has
    2-6  dedicated itself to the task of educating and reminding the public
    2-7  of the true significance of the Juneteenth holiday; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives recognizes the
    2-9  tremendous value that community celebrations have in preserving the
   2-10  history and traditions that have made us what we are and is proud
   2-11  to support the efforts of the African-American community across the
   2-12  state by allowing the use of the house chamber for a special
   2-13  observance of Emancipation Day in Texas; now, therefore, be it
   2-14        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-15  Legislature hereby grant Juneteenth USA permission to use the house
   2-16  chamber, provided the house is not in session and subject to house
   2-17  rules and policies of the Committee on House Administration, on
   2-18  Friday, June 18, 1993, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the purpose of
   2-19  conducting a Juneteenth program to start the statewide celebration
   2-20  of Emancipation Day in Texas.
   2-21  of Emancipation Day in Texas.
   2-22                                                              Edwards
   2-23                                                      H.R. No. 782
   2-24                                      _______________________________
   2-25                                            Speaker of the House
   2-26        I certify that H.R. No. 782 was adopted by the House on May
   2-27  26, 1993, by a non-record vote.
    3-1                                      _______________________________
    3-2                                          Chief Clerk of the House