HLS 23RS-3005 ORIGINAL 2023 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 195 BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth Day in Opelousas 1 A RESOLUTION 2To recognize June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth Day in Opelousas. 3 WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the 4Emancipation Proclamation, which declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the 5Confederacy "are, and henceforth shall be free"; and 6 WHEREAS, news of this development traveled slowly after President Lincoln issued 7the Emancipation Proclamation; and 8 WHEREAS, indeed, the belated news relative to the Emancipation Proclamation did 9not arrive to the Confederacy until June 19, 1865; and 10 WHEREAS, subsequently, June 19th became known as "Juneteenth" and has been 11celebrated annually ever since; and 12 WHEREAS, Mrs. Rebecca Henry has organized the celebration of Juneteenth for the 13past thirty-nine years; and 14 WHEREAS, in our own time, it is imperative to promote the positive aspects of 15African American culture, especially when that culture is too often associated with problems 16such as drugs, crime, poverty, and violence; and 17 WHEREAS, the city of Opelousas will do its part to promote such positive aspects 18when it sponsors the celebration of Juneteenth, 2023; and 19 WHEREAS, in Opelousas, Juneteenth will be celebrated at the Opelousas Farmer's 20Market on Saturday, June 17, 2023; and Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-3005 ORIGINAL HR NO. 195 1 WHEREAS, the people of the city of Opelousas are united in their support of this 2promotion of African American history, culture, self-esteem, and pride. 3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the 4Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth Day in the city 5of Opelousas and does hereby commend the citizens of Opelousas for their celebration and 6commemoration of African American history and culture. DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HR 195 Original 2023 Regular Session Dustin Miller Recognizes June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth Day in Opelousas. Page 2 of 2