Bill Text: NY K00591 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the observance of the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Day in the State of New York, on June 19, 2023

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 32-7)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-31 - adopted [K00591 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00591-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 591

BY: M. of A. Dickens

        COMMEMORATING  the  observance  of  the 3rd Annual
        Juneteenth Day in the State of New York, on June 19,
        2023

  WHEREAS, Juneteenth (short  for  "June  nineteenth")  is  a  holiday
commemorating this day, which marked the effective end of slavery in the
United States in the year of 1865 in Galveston, Texas; and

  WHEREAS,  On  that  day,  one  of General Granger's first orders was
Order No. 3 which was read aloud to the people of Texas and stated: "The
people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from
the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.  This  involves
an  absolute equity of rights and rights of property between masters and
former slaves, and  the  connection  heretofore  existing  between  them
becomes that between employer and free laborer."; and

  WHEREAS,  The  celebration  of  Juneteenth  allowed freed slaves and
their descendants to recount the memories of that great day in 1865 when
freedom was proclaimed, and also served as a release from the  pressures
of settling into new territories; and

  WHEREAS,  While  Juneteenth  is a time for celebration, it is also a
time  for  reflection,  education,  and  self-improvement;   celebration
participants  listen to elders recount the past, attend prayer services,
and learn from educational speakers; and

  WHEREAS, Juneteenth today celebrates African  American  freedom  and
achievements  while  encouraging continuous self-development and respect
for all cultures; and

  WHEREAS, It takes on a more  national,  symbolic,  and  even  global
perspective,  the  events  of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten for all of
the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which  a  national  day  of
pride is growing; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1980,  the  State  of  Texas  was  the  first state to
recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday, through  the  efforts
of Al Edwards, an African American State Legislator; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1997,  Congress  recognized  June  19th as "Juneteenth
Independence Day"; and

  WHEREAS, National  Juneteenth  Observance  Foundation,  founded  and
chaired by the Reverend Ronald Meyers, is committed to making Juneteenth
a federal holiday on a par with Flag and Patriot days; and

  WHEREAS,  Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states
creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase; and

  WHEREAS, 46 states recognize Juneteenth and the states that  do  not
are Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota; and

  WHEREAS,  Cities  in  New York that have had Juneteenth celebrations
include:  Albany,  Binghamton,  Bronx,  Brooklyn,  Buffalo,   Rochester,
Schenectady, Syracuse, Yonkers, etc.; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative  Body  pause in its deliberations
commemorate the observance of the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Day in the State
of New York, on June 19, 2023; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  New  York  Black,  Puerto  Rican,  Hispanic  and  Asian
Legislative Caucus.