June 19, 2024 Juneteenth Day proclamation
by the
Oapor of the Citp of Benton, Texas
To all to b3bom tbeSe pre5ettt5 5ball come,
Oreeting5:
WHEREAS, our country is made up of people, who are declared equal not only in freedom but
also injustice, both of which are essential for a healthy civilization;and
WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation,
declaring that all persons held as slaves in designated states or parts of states"shall
be then, thenceforward, and forever free," an act later ratified by the 13th
Amendment on December 6, 1865, which officially ended slavery;and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, over two years later, General Gordon Granger arrived in
Galveston, Texas, and announced to the people of Texas that, in accordance with
a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This
date, known as "Juneteenth," is broadly recognized as the date in which the
freedom from slavery was fully realized in Texas;and
WHEREAS, Texans began the celebration of Juneteenth in 1866 with community events and
celebrations, and as freed families emigrated from Texas to other parts of the
United States,they carried the Juneteenth celebration with them;and
WHEREAS, in 1980, Juneteenth became an official Texas state holiday, in June 2021,
legislation was signed declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday, and the City of
Denton recognizes the vast contribution that the African American people have
made to this community and throughout the world;and
NOW,THEREFORE, I, Gerard Hudsepth, Mayor of the City of Denton, Texas, do hereby declare and
proclaim the 19th day of Jame 2024 as
"JUNETEENTH DAY"
in the City of Denton and encourage all citizens to join in the spirit of celebration
and friendship for the good of the citizens of our community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,I have hereunto set my hand and caused
the official seal of the City of Denton,Texas to be affixed this the 15th
day of June,2024.
GERAn HUDSPETH,MAYOR
ATTEST:
LAUREN THODEN,CITY SECRETARY
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