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 the state's culture, and entire communities 1-13 began to commemorate June 19 and the pivotal role it played in our 1-14 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 Texas Emancipation Juneteenth 1-18 Cultural and Historical Commission works to ensure that the holiday 1-19 is given its proper observance, and these efforts have earned 1-20 commission members the respect and gratitude of their fellow 1-21 Texans; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives commends the 1-23 goals and objectives of the Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural 1-24 and Historical Commission and Juneteenth USA and welcomes the 2-1 opportunity to provide a setting for their members' activities; 2-2 now, therefore, be it 2-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-4 Legislature, in accordance with the rules and policies of the 2-5 Committee on House Administration, hereby grant permission to the 2-6 Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission 2-7 and Juneteenth USA to use the house chamber on Friday, June 1, 2-8 2001, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., provided that the house is not in 2-9 session. Edwards _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 495 was adopted by the House on March 27, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House