Introduced Version





HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No.
________




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION



        A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation and urging the establishment of June 19th as Juneteenth National Freedom Day.



Crawford




    _______________________, read first time and referred to Committee on








Introduced

Second Regular Session of the 116th General Assembly (2010)


HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION



        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,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives

of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,

the Senate concurring:


    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.