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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration
3commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The mission of the State of Illinois Juneteenth
5Committee reads: To promote and cultivate knowledge and
6appreciation of African-American history and culture with a
7focus on education and self-improvement; and
 
8    WHEREAS, It was on June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years
9after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, that
10Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the
11war had ended and that the enslaved were now free; and
 
12    WHEREAS, As freed slaves left plantations and moved to
13reunite with family members in other states, they encountered a
14new set of challenges as free men and women; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Recounting the memories of that great day in June
16of 1865 and its festivities would serve as motivation and
17relief from the growing pressures encountered in their new
18homes; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The celebration of June 19th was coined
20"Juneteenth" and grew with more participation and became a time

 

 

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1for reassuring one another, for praying, and for gathering
2family members; and
 
3    WHEREAS, A range of activities were provided for
4entertainment at early Juneteenth celebrations, many of which
5continue today; rodeos, fishing, barbecuing, and baseball are
6just a few of the typical activities that may be held today;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, Juneteenth also focuses on education and
9self-improvement; guest speakers are often brought in and
10elders are called upon to recount the events of the past;
11prayer services are often also a major part of the
12celebrations; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Over the last few decades, Juneteenth has
14continued to enjoy a growing and healthy interest from
15communities and organizations throughout the country, all with
16the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation
17of African-American history and culture; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Today, Juneteenth celebrates African-American
19freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all
20cultures; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

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1NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
2we proclaim June 19, 2011 as Juneteenth Day in the State of
3Illinois, in remembrance of the important events of June 19,
41865, and encourage all citizens to learn about the important
5contributions that African-Americans have made to our State,
6and to the nation as a whole; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8delivered to the State of Illinois Juneteenth Committee as a
9symbol of our respect and esteem.