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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, located in Decatur, began in 1993 with 25
15 charter members; membership has grown to over 150 and the
16 organization is the only one of its kind in downstate Illinois
17 and is a non-profit 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

 

 

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1 helps to stimulate interest in African history in general,
2 which pre-dates 5000 B.C., and comprises the early history of
3 all mankind; thus, the Society serves the entire community; and
 
4     WHEREAS, No single Day of Remembrance is currently
5 established for the celebration of slavery's end; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The United States currently celebrates two
7 national Days of Remembrance, "Flag Day" and "Pearl Harbor
8 Day"; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The State of Texas and six other states currently
10 celebrate "Juneteenth" on June 19th of each year to recall the
11 end of slavery; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Each year, the African-American Cultural and
13 Genealogical Society of Illinois presents its Juneteenth
14 Celebration National Freedom Day Family Festival in memory of
15 founding board member Judith Bond; this year, the organization
16 will present its 15th Annual Juneteenth Family Festival
17 Celebration in Decatur on June 21, 2008; therefore, be it
 
18     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
20 recognize the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
21 Society of Illinois, and we commend the group for its work in

 

 

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1 the education of the citizens of Illinois regarding the rich
2 cultural heritage of African Americans; and be it further
 
3     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4 presented to the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
5 Society of Illinois and its Director, Evelyn Hood of Decatur,
6 as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes
7 for the success of the Juneteenth Celebration.