093_HR0404

 
                                     LRB093 12135 HSS 17047 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The institution of slavery was terminated  in  a
 3    complex  series  of  events  occurring during and immediately
 4    after the Civil War; and

 5        WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865, the last of the slaves  held
 6    in 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
12    elimination; 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
17    non-profit organization; and

18        WHEREAS, Because it is essential that  African  Americans
19    learn  their history, a splendid and glorious story often not
20    taught in our public and private schools, the  Society  helps
21    to  stimulate  interest  in African history in general, which
22    pre-dates 5000 B.C., and comprises the early history  of  all
23    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

29        WHEREAS,  The  State  of  Texas  and  six  other   states
30    currently celebrate "Juneteenth" on June 19th of each year to
 
                            -2-      LRB093 12135 HSS 17047 r
 1    recall the end of slavery; and

 2        WHEREAS,  Each  year,  the  African-American Cultural and
 3    Genealogical Society  of  Illinois  presents  its  Juneteenth
 4    Celebration National Freedom Day Family Festival in memory of
 5    founding   board   member   Judith   Bond;   this  year,  the
 6    organization will present its 10th Annual  Juneteenth  Family
 7    Festival  Celebration  in  Decatur  on Friday, June 20, 2003;
 8    therefore, be it

 9        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES   OF   THE
10    NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11    we recognize the African-American Cultural  and  Genealogical
12    Society of Illinois, and we commend the group for its work in
13    the  education of the citizens of Illinois regarding the rich
14    cultural heritage of African Americans; and be it further

15        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
16    presented  to  the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
17    Society of Illinois as  an  expression  of  our  respect  and
18    esteem and with best wishes for the success of the Juneteenth
19    Celebration.