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