H.R. No. 135
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Residents of Grand Prairie gather each year to
  recognize an important milestone in this nation's history at the
  city's annual Juneteenth celebration and parade; and
         WHEREAS, The oldest known observance commemorating the end of
  slavery in the United States, Juneteenth specifically celebrates
  the emancipation of African American slaves in Texas; and
         WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger
  arrived in Galveston with federal troops to provide military
  support for Reconstruction efforts and to enforce President Abraham
  Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation; that same day, General
  Granger read publicly his General Order No. 3, which proclaimed
  that all slaves were undeniably free from that date onward and that
  there would be "an absolute equality of rights and rights of
  property between former masters and slaves"; and
         WHEREAS, Held on June 19 of each year, the commemoration of
  this momentous event became known as "Juneteenth," and celebrations
  grew over the decades to include recitations of the Emancipation
  Proclamation, readings by notable people, and such festive
  activities as singing, parades, rodeos, street fairs, and cookouts;
  and
         WHEREAS, Juneteenth has been observed as an official holiday
  in Texas since 1980, when legislation introduced by African
  American State Representative Al Edwards during the 1979
  legislative session took effect; with the adoption of that bill,
  this special day became the first emancipation holiday in the
  country to be granted official state recognition; and
         WHEREAS, A much-anticipated event, the Juneteenth
  celebration in Grand Prairie offers a fitting opportunity to honor
  the myriad achievements and immeasurable fortitude of the African
  American community in the Lone Star State and beyond; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the annual
  Grand Prairie Juneteenth celebration and parade and extend to all
  those involved in organizing the event sincere appreciation for
  their efforts.
 
  Turner of Tarrant
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 135 was adopted by the House on
  October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House