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4 <br /> 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 2 BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION <br /> 3 <br /> 4 WHEREAS, it is essential to sustain a harmonious and inclusive society; Orange County <br /> 5 discourages practices and actions deemed detrimental to the peace, welfare, and progress of <br /> 6 our community; and <br /> 7 <br /> 8 WHEREAS, Black Americans, descendants of people forcibly taken from Africa and subjected to <br /> 9 the brutalities of slavery, White supremacy, and family separation, have survived and overcome <br /> 10 over 400 years of systemic oppression, creating a vibrant and dynamic legacy that is central to <br /> 11 the cultural, economic, and political fabric of this nation; and <br /> 12 <br /> 13 WHEREAS, the resilience, innovation, and indomitable spirit of Black Americans have pushed <br /> 14 this nation closer to the ideals of freedom, equality, and democracy that the Founders expressed <br /> 15 but did not fully pursue, even as they have fought tirelessly against the enduring specter of racial <br /> 16 injustice, oppression, violence, and discrimination; and <br /> 17 <br /> 18 WHEREAS, Black history is not only a celebration of winners and victories won, but also a <br /> 19 testament to the years and lives lost in the pursuit of equity, inclusion, social justice, and liberation; <br /> 20 and <br /> 21 <br /> 22 WHEREAS, we honor the legacy of leaders, martyrs, visionaries, and revolutionaries who <br /> 23 sacrificed safety to defy both legal and illegal acts of oppression, from the children who led in the <br /> 24 Children's Crusade of 1963, to the students who formed the decentralized organization of the <br /> 25 Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), to the Freedom Riders who spent 1961 <br /> 26 traveling cross country on buses; and <br /> 27 <br /> 28 WHEREAS, this year's theme of "A Century of Black History Commemorations" highlights the <br /> 29 100th annual celebration of Black History in the USA, highlighting the longevity and impact of Dr. <br /> 30 Carter G. Woodson's efforts to implement the original, week-long recognition of Black History; <br /> 31 <br /> 32 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, do proclaim <br /> 33 February 2026 as "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" and encourage residents to honor this <br /> 34 distinctive month by becoming more enlightened as to the true history of Black Americans in this <br /> 35 Country and in our community. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 <br /> 38 THIS THE 3rd DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 <br /> 41 Jean Hamilton, Chair <br /> 42 Orange County Board of <br /> 43 Commissioners <br /> 44 <br /> 45 A motion was made by Commissioner Portie-Ascott, seconded by Commissioner Greene, <br /> 46 to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 49 <br /> 50 <br />