Full Text
Page 1 of 1 Ogden City Council Meeting: June 13, 2017 JOINT PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE 17, 2017 AS “JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY” IN OGDEN CITY Action: Adopt joint proclamation Summary This joint proclamation declares June 17, 2017 as “Juneteenth Freedom Day” in Ogden City. Betty Sawyer, Director of Project Success and Utah Juneteenth Commission Chair, will be present to accept this joint proclamation. Council Staff Contact: Brittany Griffin, (801)629-8103 ---PAGE BREAK--- A JOINT PROCLAMATION OF THE OGDEN CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR DECLARING JUNE 17, 2017 “JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY” IN OGDEN CITY WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States and the emancipation of African American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were now free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863. Until that day, slavery had been relatively unaffected in Texas by the Emancipation Proclamation, and Texas had even been viewed as a safe haven for slave owners to relocate with their slaves because the state experienced no large-scale fighting or significant presence of Union troops; and WHEREAS On that first Juneteenth, a name that combines June and 19th, the people of Texas were read General Order Number 3, which stated: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer." The Juneteenth announcement was met with jubilation that spread throughout the country as African Americans relocated to neighboring states and became reacquainted with family; and WHEREAS, The first Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassurance, prayer and the gathering of family members. Juneteenth continued to be widely observed in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston. Juneteenth today continues to grow within communities and organizations throughout the country. Numerous local and national Juneteenth organizations have arisen alongside older organizations with the common mission of promoting and cultivating knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all people and cultures; and WHEREAS, During the 2016 legislative session, Utah became the 45th state in the nation to have an official state observance of Juneteenth Freedom Day, which will be commemorated annually in Utah on the third Saturday in June. The Juneteenth commemoration has been observed in Utah as a community freedom festival for more than 75 years by various communities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ogden City Council and Mayor Michael P. Caldwell hereby proclaim June 17, 2017: “JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY” in Ogden City. We encourage residents, schools, businesses and community groups to celebrate Juneteenth as a day of remembrance and celebration. We appreciate the significant efforts of those in our community and our Utah State representatives to make this special holiday an official state observance. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of June 2017. Marcia L. White, Council Chair Michael P. Caldwell, Mayor ATTEST: Tracy Hansen, City Recorder