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Proclamation declaring Monday, June 19, 2023 as "Juneteenth" in Los Alamos County (accepted by (Accepted by Andrea Determan and Beverly Neal-Clinton)
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WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, setting in motion the end of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, it was not until June 19, 1865, that it was announced to those still enslaved in Texas: “The people are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free”; and
WHEREAS, celebration of the end of slavery, which became known as Juneteenth, is the oldest known public celebration of the end of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and celebrates the successes gained through education and greater opportunity; and
WHEREAS, on a larger scale, celebration of Juneteenth reminds each of us of the precious promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity which are at the core of the American Dream; and
WHEREAS, in June 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and in February 2022, the Los Alamos County Council adopted a personnel rule to observe Juneteenth as a holiday for Los Alamos County government to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. .
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim Monday, June 19, 2023, as
“JUNETEENTH”
In Los Alamos County and urge our citizens to become aware of the significance of this celebration in American History and in the heritage of our nation, state and county.