Assembly Resolution No. 591

BY: M. of A. Dickens

COMMEMORATING the observance of the 3rd Annual
Juneteenth Day in the State of New York, on June 19,
2023

WHEREAS, Juneteenth (short for "June nineteenth") is a holiday
commemorating this day, which marked the effective end of slavery in the
United States in the year of 1865 in Galveston, Texas; and

WHEREAS, On that day, one of General Granger's first orders was
Order No. 3 which was read aloud to the people of Texas and stated: "The
people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from
the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves
an absolute equity of rights and rights of property between masters and
former slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them
becomes that between employer and free laborer."; and

WHEREAS, The celebration of Juneteenth allowed freed slaves and
their descendants to recount the memories of that great day in 1865 when
freedom was proclaimed, and also served as a release from the pressures
of settling into new territories; and

WHEREAS, While Juneteenth is a time for celebration, it is also a
time for reflection, education, and self-improvement; celebration
participants listen to elders recount the past, attend prayer services,
and learn from educational speakers; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and
achievements while encouraging continuous self-development and respect
for all cultures; and

WHEREAS, It takes on a more national, symbolic, and even global
perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten for all of
the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of
pride is growing; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, the State of Texas was the first state to
recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday, through the efforts
of Al Edwards, an African American State Legislator; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, Congress recognized June 19th as "Juneteenth
Independence Day"; and

WHEREAS, National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, founded and
chaired by the Reverend Ronald Meyers, is committed to making Juneteenth
a federal holiday on a par with Flag and Patriot days; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states
creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase; and

WHEREAS, 46 states recognize Juneteenth and the states that do not
are Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota; and

WHEREAS, Cities in New York that have had Juneteenth celebrations
include: Albany, Binghamton, Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Rochester,
Schenectady, Syracuse, Yonkers, etc.; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations
commemorate the observance of the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Day in the State
of New York, on June 19, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to New York Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian
Legislative Caucus.