By Edwards H.R. No. 624 75R10797 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For more than 100 years, Texans have celebrated June 1-2 19 as Emancipation Day or "Juneteenth," for it was on that date in 1-3 1865 that African-American slaves in this state finally gained the 1-4 freedom nominally conferred on them by the Emancipation 1-5 Proclamation; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Although President Abraham Lincoln formally outlawed 1-7 slavery on January 1, 1863, true emancipation was not achieved 1-8 until the end of the Civil War, when Union troops brought 1-9 enforcement of the doctrine to the states of the Confederacy; in 1-10 the years after General Gordon Granger delivered President 1-11 Lincoln's message to the Lone Star State, Juneteenth celebrations 1-12 became a vital part of African-American culture, and entire 1-13 communities began to commemorate June 19 and the pivotal role it 1-14 played in our state's history; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Recognizing the significance this date holds for all 1-16 Texans, the 66th Texas Legislature designated June 19 as an 1-17 official state holiday; today, the Juneteenth Emancipation 1-18 Association works to ensure that the holiday is given its proper 1-19 observance, and these efforts have earned association members the 1-20 respect and gratitude of their fellow Texans; and 1-21 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives commends the 1-22 goals and objectives of the Juneteenth Emancipation Association and 1-23 welcomes the opportunity to provide a setting for its members' 1-24 activities; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-2 Legislature, in accordance with the rules and policies of the 2-3 Committee on House Administration, hereby grant permission to the 2-4 Juneteenth Emancipation Association to use the house chamber on 2-5 Friday, June 6, 1997, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., provided that the 2-6 house is not in session.