ENROLLED 2022 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 166 BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER A RESOLUTION To recognize June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Day in Opelousas. WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the Confederacy "are, and henceforth shall be free"; and WHEREAS, news of this development traveled slowly after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and WHEREAS, indeed, the belated news relative to the Emancipation Proclamation did not arrive to the Confederacy until June 19, 1865; and WHEREAS, subsequently, June 19th became known as "Juneteenth" and has been celebrated annually ever since; and WHEREAS, in our own time, it is imperative to promote the positive aspects of African American culture, especially when that culture is too often associated with problems such as drugs, crime, poverty, and violence; and WHEREAS, the city of Opelousas will do its part to promote such positive aspects when it sponsors the celebration of Juneteenth, 2022; and WHEREAS, in Opelousas, Juneteenth will be celebrated at the Opelousas Farmer's Market on Saturday, June 18, 2022; and WHEREAS, the mayor, the board of aldermen, and the people of the city of Opelousas are united in their support of this promotion of African American history, culture, self-esteem, and pride. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Day in the city of Opelousas and does hereby commend the citizens of Opelousas for their celebration and commemoration of African American history and culture. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 1 of 1