2002-0243
INTRODUCED BY: DESMOND HILAIRE, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT I
CLAYTON “SNOOKIE” FAUCHEUX, COUNCILMAN-AT-LARGE, DIV B
BRIAN A. FABRE, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT II
DARNELL “DEE” ABADIE, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT III
TERRY AUTHEMENT, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
APRIL BLACK, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT V
LANCE MARINO, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
ALBERT D. LAQUE, PARISH PRESIDENT
RESOLUTION NO.
Title
A resolution designating the third Saturday in June as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day” in St. Charles Parish.
Body
WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation granting freedom to millions of slaves; and,
WHEREAS, two and one-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued there was little effect on southern states due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new executive order; and,
WHEREAS, it was on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended; and,
WHEREAS, with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger's troops, the soldiers were finally strong enough to overcome the resistance; and,
WHEREAS, even with nowhere to go, many slaves felt that leaving the plantations would be their first step towards freedom; and,
WHEREAS, north was a logical destination for some while others had the strong desire to reach family members in the neighboring states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma; and,
WHEREAS, the celebration of June 19, 1865, was coined “Juneteenth” and grew with more participation from descendants of slaves; and,
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery; and,
WHEREAS, today, Juneteenth celebration has been held for African Americans to celebrate the emancipation, to honor the memory of those who endured and moved from slavery to freedom, and to inspire and encourage faith and strength of chara...
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