ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 195
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER
A RESOLUTION
To recognize June 19, 2023, 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, Mrs. Rebecca Henry has organized the celebration of Juneteenth for the
past thirty-nine years; 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, 2023; and
WHEREAS, in Opelousas, Juneteenth will be celebrated at the Opelousas Farmer's
Market on Saturday, June 17, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the people of the city of Opelousas are united in their support of this
promotion of African American history, culture, self-esteem, and pride.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize June 19, 2023, 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
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