DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 74

RECOGNIZING JUNE 19, 2018 AS "JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE

WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which changed the federal legal status of over 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in designated areas of the South from slave to free, although the implementation of Lincoln’s order came slowly over the duration of the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, June 19, 1865 is recognized as the date that Union General Gordon Granger, upon arriving in Galveston, Texas, issued General Order Number Three, which notified the last enslaved Americans in Southern areas denoted in the Emancipation Proclamation of their new legal status; and

WHEREAS, General Granger’s General Order Number Three was issued nearly two and a half years after the final issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two months after the death of President Lincoln, and over a month after the end of the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, slavery was officially outlawed across the entire United States on December 18, 1865 with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which freed slaves in the final two slave states in America—Kentucky and Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the African Americans who had been enslaved in the South thereafter celebrated June 19 ^th as “Juneteenth Independence Day” to signify the anniversary of their emancipation; and

WHEREAS, these freed women and men handed down this tradition from generation to generation as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and

WHEREAS, this year marks the 153 ^rd anniversary of Juneteenth Independence Day, which calls for celebrations to honor the memory of all those who endured slavery, especially those who moved from slavery to freedom, and to encourage self-development and respect for all cultures; and

WHEREAS, the history behind celebrating Juneteenth should be remembered as the event continues to receive increased countrywide, and even global, recognition; and

WHEREAS, the example of faith, strength, and character of those who endured and overcame slavery remains a lesson for all Americans today, regardless of background, region, or race.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House concurring therein, that June 19, 2018 is hereby recognized as “Juneteenth Independence Day” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Delaware Senate and House of Representatives do hereby encourage the people of the State of Delaware to reflect upon the significant roles and many contributions of African Americans to Delaware and our country throughout history and today, and to celebrate this day with appropriate activities and events that honor this rich legacy.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution proclaims June 19, 2018 as Juneteenth Independence Day in Delaware and encourages the people of Delaware to reflect upon the significant roles and many contributions of African Americans and to celebrate this day with appropriate activities and events.

Author: Senator Pettyjohn