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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation |
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is hosting its 2023 Juneteenth Celebration from June 9 to 17; and |
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WHEREAS, The Emancipation Proclamation was promulgated on |
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January 1, 1863, but it would not be enforced in Texas until after |
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the Civil War; on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the |
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Union Army arrived in Galveston and that same day issued General |
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Order No. 3, declaring the freedom of all those held in bondage; |
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emancipated men and women marked the first anniversary of this date |
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in 1866, and over the years, Juneteenth became a proud celebration |
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of a momentous milestone in this nation's history; in 1979, Texas |
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became the first state to make the celebration an official holiday, |
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and a bill was passed in Congress in 2021 that established |
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Juneteenth as a federal holiday; and |
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WHEREAS, The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation |
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was established in 2002 with the goals of organizing culturally |
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relevant activities, creating programs to nurture young talent, and |
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bringing together families from all backgrounds in a wholesome and |
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inspiring setting; today, the program has grown to encompass a wide |
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variety of activities, including a kick-off reception, a parade, a |
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community service awards gala, and a golf tournament as well as |
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musical performances; the Freedom Tree, located in Freedom Tree |
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Park, serves as a focal point and symbol of African American |
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resilience; and |
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WHEREAS, The much-anticipated Juneteenth celebration in |
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Missouri City provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on African |
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Americans' long road to freedom and to recognize their immeasurable |
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contributions to the building of this country over the centuries; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 2023 Missouri City Juneteenth |
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Celebration and extend to all those participating sincere best |
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wishes for a memorable and meaningful event. |