HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-21 ProclamationCity of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day celebrates the day of June 19, 1865,
when Major General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers into Galveston, Texas, bringing
news that the Civil War had ended and that the Emancipation Proclamation declared all
slaves to be free; and
WHEREAS, in Texas and throughout the South, Juneteenth celebrations began on
June 19'" of each year — consisting of prayer services, inspirational speeches, readings of
the Emancipation Proclamation, food, games, and dances; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, during the 105th U.S. Congress, House Joint Resolution 56 and
Senate Joint Resolution I I were passed, officially recognizing Juneteenth as the
Independence Day Observance of Americans of African descent; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth reflects our community's deep belief in liberty and equality
for all individuals, as all benefit from a greater understanding and appreciation of the
experiences of others; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the strength and resolve of African-
Americans throughout our history, and is an opportunity to celebrate African-American
culture, art, history, and achievement; and
WHEREAS, on Saturday, June 25, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mercer Park a
Juneteenth Celebration will be held that will include games, activities and a health and
financial wellness fair.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, James A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby
recognize June 19, 2016, as
JUNETEENTH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY
in Iowa City, and would encourage community members to attend the Celebration being
held on June 25 to recognize this special day.
yor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 21 m day of June, 2016.
City of Iowa City
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PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day celebrates
when Major Generalord
W on Granger led Union soldiers into
news that the Civil had ended and that the Emancipation
slaves to be free; and
WHEREAS, in Texas throughout the South, Junete 1
June 19a' of each year — cons' ting of prayer services, ins ira
the Emancipation Proclamation,\\food, games, and dances, and
day of June 19, 1865,
ieston, Texas, bringing
;lamation declared all
celebrations began on
final speeches, readings of
WHEREAS, in 1997, during th 105th U.S. Congr s, House Joint Resolution 56 and
Senate Joint Resolution I 1 were pas officially gmzmg Juneteenth as the
Independence Day Observance of Am 'cans of A can descent; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth reflects our mmun' 's deep belief in liberty and equality
for all individuals, as all benefit from a gre ter derstanding and appreciation of the
experiences of others; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates
Americans throughout our history, and is ar
culture, art, history, and achievement; and?
WHEREAS, on Saturday, June 25, m .
12 p.m
Juneteenth Celebration will be held that/will include
financial wellness fair.
NOW, THEREFORE, I,
recognize June 19, 2016, as
JUNETEENTH
and resolve of African -
to celebrate African-American
6 p.m. at Mercer Park a
A. Throgmorton,
TIONAL
activities and a health and
of Iowa City, do hereby
M DAY
in Iowa City, and would encoura# community members to attnd the Celebration being
held on June 25 to recognize this pecial day.
Mayor
Signed in Iowa City,
this 21`h day of June,