P1 1WHEREAS, The state of Texas is widely considered the first
2state to begin Juneteenth celebrations. Informal observances have
3taken place there for over a century, and it has been an official
4state holiday in Texas since 1980. Thirty-nine states, including
5California since 2003, and the District of Columbia have
6recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or a state holiday
7observance; and
8WHEREAS, Though President Abraham Lincoln issued the
9Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, to become
10effective January 1, 1863, it had minimal immediate effect on most
11slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in the Confederate States of
12America; and
13WHEREAS, Texas, as a part of the Confederacy, was resistant
14to the Emancipation Proclamation. But on June 18, 1865, Union
15troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state
16and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. Former slaves in
17Galveston rejoiced in the streets with jubilant celebrations. The
18following day, June 19th, became known as “Juneteenth,” a name
19derived from a portmanteau of the words “June” and “nineteenth.”
20Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year; and
21WHEREAS, For former slaves, the Juneteenth celebration was
22a time for reassuring each other, praying, and gathering remaining
23family members together. Juneteenth continued to be highly
24revered in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and
25descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on
26this date; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Juneteenth education and celebrations declined in
2America in the early part of the 20th century. But the Civil Rights
3Movement of the 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence of interest in
4Juneteenth, along with renewed community celebrations of the
5day; and
6WHEREAS, On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official
7state holiday in Texas through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African
8American former member of the Texas House of Representatives.
9That bill marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation celebration
10granted official state recognition. Representative Edwards has
11since actively sought to spread the observance of Juneteenth all
12across America; and
13WHEREAS, In 1994, the era of the “Modern Juneteenth
14Movement” began when a group of Juneteenth leaders from across
15the country gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana, to work for greater
16national recognition of Juneteenth; and
17WHEREAS, Today, Juneteenth commemorates African
18American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.
19It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with
20celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. It is
21a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment,
22self-improvement, and for planning the future; now, therefore, be
23it
24Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
25encourages all Californians to join together in celebrating
26Juneteenth; and be it further
27Resolved, That the Senate and the People of the State of
28California recognize that the “Modern Juneteenth Movement”
29continues to work to pass legislation in the United States Congress
30to establish Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Day of
31Observance; and be it further
32Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
33this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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