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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Mesquite are gathering together on |
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June 18, 2023, for the city's fourth annual Juneteenth celebration; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The oldest known observance commemorating the end of |
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slavery in the United States, Juneteenth specifically celebrates |
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the emancipation of African American slaves in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger |
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arrived in Galveston with federal troops to provide military |
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support for Reconstruction efforts and to enforce President Abraham |
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Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation; that same day, General |
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Granger read publicly his General Order No. 3, which proclaimed |
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that all slaves were undeniably free from that date onward and that |
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there would be "an absolute equality of rights and rights of |
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property between former masters and slaves"; and |
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WHEREAS, Held on June 19 of each year, the commemoration of |
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this momentous event became known as "Juneteenth," and celebrations |
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grew over the decades to encompass recitations of the Emancipation |
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Proclamation, readings by notable people, and such festive |
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activities as singing, parades, rodeos, street fairs, and cookouts; |
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the celebration in Mesquite, which is being organized by Mesquite |
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Tri-East NAACP, will include vendors, food and drink, and |
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children's activities; in addition, the event will feature a live |
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performance by Fat Daddy I Got the Blues; and |
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WHEREAS, More than 150 years after emancipation was |
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proclaimed in Texas, Juneteenth continues to inspire gatherings |
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that honor the myriad achievements and immeasurable fortitude of |
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the African American community in the Lone Star State; now, |
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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 Mesquite NAACP Juneteenth |
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Festival and extend to all those in attendance sincere best wishes |
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for a meaningful and memorable occasion. |