Delaware-2023-SCR130-Draft

SPONSOR:	Sen. Brown & Sen. Lockman & Sen. Pettyjohn & Sen. Pinkney & Rep. Dorsey Walker & Rep. Baumbach & Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Neal & Rep. Chukwuocha
Sens. Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Mantzavinos, Sokola, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Bolden, Cooke, Dukes, Griffith, K. Johnson, Lambert, Morrison, Osienski, Parker Selby, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 130

RECOGNIZING JUNE 19, 2024, AS "JUNETEENTH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the final Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, changed the federal legal status of over 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in designated areas of the south from slave to free, although the implementation of Lincoln’s order came slowly over the duration of the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, June 19, 1865, is recognized as the date the Union General Gordon Granger, upon arriving in Galveston, Texas, issued General Order Number Three, which notified the last enslaved Americans in southern areas denoted in the Emancipation Proclamation of their new legal status; and

WHEREAS, General Granger’s General Order Number Three was issued nearly two and a half years after the final issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, over a month after the end of the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, slavery was officially outlawed across the entire United States on December 18, 1865, with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which freed slaves in the final two slave states in America—Kentucky and Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Delaware ratified the 13 ^th Amendment to the Constitution in February 1901; and

WHEREAS, African Americans who had been enslaved thereafter celebrated June 19th as “Juneteenth National Independence Day” to signify the anniversary of their emancipation; and

WHEREAS, the freed Women and Men handed down this tradition from generation to generation as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and

WHEREAS, this year marks the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth National Independence Day, which calls for celebrations to honor the memory of all those who endured slavery, especially those who moved from slavery to freedom and to encourage self-development and respect for all cultures; and

WHEREAS, on October 27, 2021, Governor John Carney signed House Bill No. 119 establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the history behind celebrating Juneteenth should be remembered as the event continues to receive increased recognition across the country and the world; and

WHEREAS, the example of faith, hope, love, strength, and character of those who endured and overcame slavery remains a lesson for all Americans today, regardless of background, region, or race.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that June 19, 2024, is hereby recognized as “Juneteenth National Independence Day” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the people of the State of Delaware are encouraged to reflect upon the significant roles and many contributions of African Americans to Delaware and our country throughout history and today, and to celebrate this day with appropriate activities and events that honor this rich legacy.