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3 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH 2O24 <br /> WHEREAS, Juneteenth, observed on June 19, is a day of historical significance, <br /> commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865, following <br /> the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation marked a critical milestone in the fight for <br /> freedom, declaring the end of slavery in Confederate-controlled areas and laying the <br /> groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery nationwide with the passage of the Thirteenth <br /> Amendment to the United States Constitution; and <br /> WHEREAS, despite the formal abolition of slavery, the journey to complete emancipation <br /> has been fraught with challenges due to those who wished to continue the practice of holding <br /> human beings as property; and <br /> WHEREAS, although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it was <br /> not until June 19, 1865 — Juneteenth — when U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in <br /> Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing the end to the war and the <br /> captivity of those who had been enslaved, that the news reached all enslaved African <br /> Americans; and <br /> WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of <br /> slavery in the United States; and <br /> WHEREAS, in 1866, they held parades and barbecues and gave speeches in remembrance <br /> of their liberation. The oldest of the surviving formerly enslaved people were often given a <br /> place of honor and initially used these gatherings to attempt to locate family members from <br /> whom they had been separated, and soon these events became staging areas for family <br /> reunions and an opportunity to uplift each other as they moved through hostile environments; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, we recognize that there is still progress that must be made to dismantle the <br /> insidious systems and practices that continue to harm African Americans and deny them <br /> access to the rights and resources to which they are entitled, Juneteenth serves as a pivotal <br /> reminder of the resilience and courage of African Americans as they endured unimaginable <br /> hardship and injustices yet remain steadfast in their pursuit of freedom and equality; and <br /> WHEREAS, the resilience and determination displayed by African Americans in the face of <br /> oppression serve as an enduring testament to the human spirit and the innate desire for <br /> liberty and dignity; and <br /> WHEREAS, Juneteenth is a celebration of liberation, unity, and hope, reminding us of the <br /> importance of acknowledging and confronting the painful truths of our past while embracing <br /> the promise of a more just and equitable future; and <br /> WHEREAS, Juneteenth serves as a powerful symbol of progress and resilience, inspiring us <br /> to continue the fight for justice and equality for all and to honor the contributions and legacy <br /> of African Americans in shaping the fabric of our nation; and <br />