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4 <br /> 1 WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of <br /> 2 slavery in the United States; and <br /> 3 <br /> 4 WHEREAS, in 1866, they held parades and barbecues and gave speeches in remembrance of <br /> 5 their liberation. The oldest of the surviving formerly enslaved people were often given a place of <br /> 6 honor and initially used these gatherings to attempt to locate family members from whom they <br /> 7 had been separated, and soon these events became staging areas for family reunions and an <br /> 8 opportunity to uplift each other as they moved through hostile environments; and <br /> 9 <br /> 10 WHEREAS, we recognize that there is still progress that must be made to dismantle the insidious <br /> 11 systems and practices that continue to harm African Americans and deny them access to the <br /> 12 rights and resources to which they are entitled, Juneteenth serves as a pivotal reminder of the <br /> 13 resilience and courage of African Americans as they endured unimaginable hardship and <br /> 14 injustices yet remain steadfast in their pursuit of freedom and equality; and <br /> 15 <br /> 16 WHEREAS, the resilience and determination displayed by African Americans in the face of <br /> 17 oppression serve as an enduring testament to the human spirit and the innate desire for liberty <br /> 18 and dignity; and <br /> 19 <br /> 20 WHEREAS, Juneteenth is a celebration of liberation, unity, and hope, reminding us of the <br /> 21 importance of acknowledging and confronting the painful truths of our past while embracing the <br /> 22 promise of a more just and equitable future; and <br /> 23 <br /> 24 WHEREAS, Juneteenth serves as a powerful symbol of progress and resilience, inspiring us to <br /> 25 continue the fight forjustice and equality for all and to honor the contributions and legacy of African <br /> 26 Americans in shaping the fabric of our nation; and <br /> 27 <br /> 28 WHEREAS, by recognizing Juneteenth as a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration, we <br /> 29 reaffirm our commitment to building a society where every individual is valued, respected, and <br /> 30 afforded the opportunity to thrive; and <br /> 31 <br /> 32 WHEREAS, the lessons of Juneteenth resonate deeply with people of all backgrounds reminding <br /> 33 us of the enduring power of hope, perseverance, and solidarity in the face of adversity; <br /> 34 <br /> 35 NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, <br /> 36 honor the significance of Juneteenth as a pivotal moment in our nation's history and reaffirm our <br /> 37 commitment to upholding the values of freedom, justice, and equality for all. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we celebrate Juneteenth as a beacon of hope and inspiration <br /> 40 and pledge to continue to journey toward a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable society. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we proclaim June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth in Orange County <br /> 43 and encourage all residents to join us in commemorating this historic occasion, reflecting on the <br /> 44 lessons of the past and rededicating ourselves to the pursuit of a brighter future for generations <br /> 45 to come. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 This, the 18th day of June 2024. <br /> 48 <br /> 49 <br /> 50 Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> 51 Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />