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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For more than 150 years, the observance of |
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Juneteenth on June 19 has provided an opportunity to celebrate the |
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fundamental principles of liberty and equality; and |
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WHEREAS, Although President Lincoln delivered the |
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Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freedom came gradually and at |
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different times to various states, particularly those in the |
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southwest region of the country; it was on June 19, 1865, that |
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General Gordon Granger arrived with his troops at Galveston and |
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issued General Order Number 3, which stated "The people of Texas are |
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informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive |
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of the United States, all slaves are free"; the long-delayed |
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tidings traveled throughout the state to reach approximately |
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250,000 Texans who had been held in bondage; and |
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WHEREAS, Large celebrations on June 19 began the following |
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year, and early on, they typically included a prayer service, |
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inspirational speakers, a reading of the Emancipation |
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Proclamation, and such festive elements as barbecue, games, rodeos, |
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and dances; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize |
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Juneteenth as an official holiday; today, nearly all 50 states and |
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the District of Columbia observe some form of a Juneteenth |
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Independence Day, and the festivities have spread to other |
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countries as well; and |
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WHEREAS, The observance of Juneteenth provides a welcome |
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opportunity to mark the end of slavery in America while paying |
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homage to the myriad achievements and immeasurable fortitude of the |
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African American community; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby respectfully urge the |
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Congress of the United States to declare Juneteenth a national |
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holiday; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the chief clerk forward official copies of |
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this resolution to the president of the United States, to the |
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president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of |
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Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the |
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members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that |
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this resolution be entered into the Congressional Record as a |
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memorial to the Congress of the United States of America. |