1 State of Arkansas
2 94th General Assembly
3 Second Extraordinary Session, 2024 SR 5
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5 By: Senator L. Chesterfield
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7 SENATE RESOLUTION
8 TO RECOGNIZE THE OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH ON JUNE 19,
9 2024.
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12 Subtitle
13 TO RECOGNIZE THE OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH
14 ON JUNE 19, 2024.
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17 WHEREAS, for one hundred fifty-seven (157) years, Juneteenth National
18 Freedom Day, also known as Emancipation Day, Emancipation Celebration,
19 Freedom Day, Juneteenth Independence Day and Juneteenth, has been one of the
20 most important African-American holiday observances in the United States; and
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22 WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the day that news of the signing of
23 the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln was brought to
24 slaves in Galveston, Texas, by Union General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865;
25 and
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27 WHEREAS, Juneteenth celebrations commemorate both the survival of the
28 millions of African people who were captured into slavery and brought to this
29 country and their descendants who were enslaved in chattel slavery for over
30 two hundred (200) years before the practice was abolished; and
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32 WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the
33 end of chattel slavery in the United States; and
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35 WHEREAS, African Americans who had been slaves and their descendants
36 have celebrated June 19 as a day of inspiration and encouragement for future
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1 generations; and
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3 WHEREAS, over one hundred thirty years (130) after the Emancipation
4 Proclamation and after years of informal annual celebration, Juneteenth
5 National Independence Day was declared a federal holiday in 2021 by the
6 United States Congress and the President of the United States; and
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8 WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the historical significance of
9 Juneteenth in order to advance racial equality, human dignity, and justice,
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11 NOW THEREFORE,
12 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
13 STATE OF ARKANSAS:
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15 THAT the Senate:
16 (1) Recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth National
17 Independence Day to the United States; and
18 (2) Recognize the observance of Juneteenth on June 19, 2024.
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