_______________________, read first time and referred to Committee on
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION celebrating the Emancipation
Proclamation and urging the establishment of June 19th as Juneteenth
National Freedom Day.
Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln signed the
Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, to be
enforced on January 1, 1863, prohibiting enslavement in
those states and areas in secession from the Union;
Whereas, Many slaves not in the secession states won their
freedom by joining the Union Army when President Lincoln,
at the urging of Frederick Douglass, proclaimed that slaves
entering the army would be freed;
Whereas, The news of the end of slavery did not reach the
frontier areas of the United States for more than two and a
half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation
Proclamation and months after the conclusion of the Civil
War;
Whereas, On the "19th of June," 1865, Union soldiers led
by Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with
the news that the Civil War had ended and that the slaves
were free and with the reading of General Order Number 3,
the former slaves, Americans of African descent, celebrated
with praise, music, dance, and prayer, establishing the first
Juneteenth freedom celebration in history; the oldest African
American holiday celebration;
Whereas, Juneteenth commemorates freedom from slavery
and is recognized as Juneteenth Independence Day by the
Congress of the United States, is recognized as a state
holiday or state holiday observance in 33 states, and the
District of Columbia and is celebrated by African Americans
as inspiration and encouragement for future generations;
Whereas, The celebration of Juneteenth emphasizes
education and achievements and is a time for reflection of the
"Maafa" of the Middle Passage, enslavement, lynchings, and
murders and in recognition of the annual National Day of
Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement
sponsored by the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership
Council (NJCLC);
Whereas, Rev. Raymond Christian, Director of the Indiana
Juneteenth Committee of the National Juneteenth
Observance Foundation (NJOF), has coordinated Juneteenth
Celebrations in Gary, Bloomington, Columbus, Marion,
Evansville, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, Hanover, and other
cities;
Whereas, Indianapolis native Dr. Larry Ridley, master jazz
bassist and Executive Director of the African American Jazz
Caucus (AAJC), has been a strong proponent of "June is
Black Music Month!" - CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH JAZZ
- "Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!" in
partnership with the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz
Presenters (NAJJP) is honored at the annual Indianapolis
Juneteenth Jazz & Heritage Festival, which is held at the
Madame C. J. Walker Theatre Center;
Whereas, Jeff Patchen, President and CEO of the
Indianapolis Children's Museum has offered institutional
support to local Juneteenth programs;
Whereas, Attorney Fay Williams, a community advocate
working with The Indianapolis Children's Museum, has been
a strong proponent of the Juneteenth celebration in the
Indianapolis community;
Whereas, Reverend Melvin Girton of Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Fitzhugh Lyons of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Steve Clay of Messiah
Missionary Baptist Church, and Reverend Rayford Brown of
Rock of Faith Missionary Baptist Church should be
commended for keeping an accurate account of
African-American history from slavery to the present in
accordance with the spirit of the Emancipation Celebration;
Whereas, The Emancipation Celebration has occurred in
the city of Indianapolis on January 1 for the last 66 years;
Whereas, For the last 30 years, the Emancipation
Celebration has taken place at Christ Missionary Baptist
Church; and
Whereas, Juneteenth and the Emancipation Celebration
include all races, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities, in
that citizens across the country acknowledge a period in our
history that has influenced our society, a society that
advances the ideals of liberty and justice for all: Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly celebrating the
Emancipation Proclamation and urging the establishment of June 19th
as Juneteenth National Freedom Day urges the establishment of June
19th as Juneteenth National Freedom Day to acknowledge the freedom
of all people regardless of their race, creed, religion, or nationality.
SECTION 2. That the Indiana General Assembly urges the
establishment of June 19th as Juneteenth National Freedom Day to
provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more
about the past and to better understand the experiences that have
shaped our nation.
SECTION 3. That the Indiana General Assembly urges the
establishment of June 19th as Juneteenth National Freedom Day to
acknowledge that the end of slavery is an important and enriching part
of the history and heritage of the United States and our history should
be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the
challenges of the future.
SECTION 4. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
Representatives transmit a copy of this resolution to Governor Mitchell
Daniels.