HR1036 LRB093 22451 HSS 51958 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The institution of slavery was terminated in a
3 complex series of events occurring during and immediately after
4 the Civil War; and
 
5     WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865, the last of the slaves held in
6 bondage in the United States were set free; and
 
7     WHEREAS, All Americans benefit from and all Americans
8 should remember and celebrate the ending of slavery and the
9 joining together of all of our people in freedom; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Our free enterprise system is fundamentally at
11 odds with slavery and has been strengthened by its elimination;
12 and
 
13     WHEREAS, The African-American Cultural and Genealogical
14 Society of Illinois began in 1993 with 25 charter members;
15 membership has grown to over 150 and the organization is the
16 only one of its kind in downstate Illinois and is a non-profit
17 organization; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Because it is essential that all citizens learn
19 about African-American history, a splendid and glorious story
20 often not taught in our public and private schools, the Society
21 helps to stimulate interest in African history in general,
22 which pre-dates 5000 B.C., and comprises the early history of
23 all mankind; thus, the Society serves the entire community; and
 
24     WHEREAS, No single Day of Remembrance is currently
25 established for the celebration of slavery's end; and
 
26     WHEREAS, The United States currently celebrates two
27 national Days of Remembrance, "Flag Day" and "Pearl Harbor
28 Day"; and
 

 

 

HR1036 - 2 - LRB093 22451 HSS 51958 r

1     WHEREAS, The State of Texas and six other states currently
2 celebrate "Juneteenth" on June 19th of each year to recall the
3 end of slavery; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Each year, the African-American Cultural and
5 Genealogical Society of Illinois presents its Juneteenth
6 Celebration National Freedom Day Family Festival in memory of
7 founding board member Judith Bond; this year, the organization
8 will present its 11th Annual Juneteenth Family Festival
9 Celebration in Decatur on June 18 and June 19, 2004; therefore,
10 be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
13 recognize the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
14 Society of Illinois, and we commend the group for its work in
15 the education of the citizens of Illinois regarding the rich
16 cultural heritage of African Americans; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18 presented to the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
19 Society of Illinois and its Director, Evelyn Hood, as an
20 expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for
21 the success of the Juneteenth Celebration.