HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-20-01870FCity of Miami
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Legislation
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l ° R I° Resolution: R-20-0187
File Number: 7590
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date: 6/25/2020
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS TO DESIGNATE JUNE 19TH OF EVERY YEAR AS
"JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY" A LEGAL FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN
RECOGNITION OF JUNE 19, 1865, THE DATE ON WHICH NEWS OF THE
END OF SLAVERY REACHED THE BLACK PEOPLE BEING HELD AS
SLAVES IN THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK
TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE
UNITED STATES CONGRESS UPON ITS ADOPTION.
SPONSOR(S): Mayor Francis X. Suarez, Commissioner Ken Russell
WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on
January 1, 1863, which declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states
"are, and henceforward shall be free"; and
WHEREAS, it was not until June 19, 1865 that Union soldiers led by Major General
Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and
the enslaved were free; and
WHEREAS, Black people who had been enslaved in the Southwestern states finally
received the news and celebrated June 19th, commonly known as "Juneteenth Independence
Day," as a day of inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and
WHEREAS, June 19, 2020 marked the 155th year which people have continued the
tradition of observing Juneteenth Independence Day; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of Texas
and is now celebrated in forty-seven (47) States and the District of Columbia as a special day of
observance in recognition of the emancipation of all persons held as slaves in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in December 1865; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its history, the United States has grown into a symbol of
democracy and freedom around the world; and
WHEREAS, this Commission urges the United States Congress to use its authority
vested in Title V of the United States Code (5 U.S.C. § 6103) to designate June 19th of each
year as Juneteenth Independence Day;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 7590 (Revision:) Printed On: 713112020
File ID: 7590
Enactment Number: R-20-0187
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission urges the United States Congress to designate the
June 19th of each year as Juneteenth Independence Day, a legal federal holiday.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to all members
of the United States Congress upon its adoption.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
i ria ndez, ity ttor ey 7/9/2020
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 7590 (Revision:) Printed on: 713112020