H.R. No. 135
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Grand Prairie gather each year to
recognize an important milestone in this nation's history at the
city's annual Juneteenth celebration and parade; and
WHEREAS, The oldest known observance commemorating the end of
slavery in the United States, Juneteenth specifically celebrates
the emancipation of African American slaves in Texas; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger
arrived in Galveston with federal troops to provide military
support for Reconstruction efforts and to enforce President Abraham
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation; that same day, General
Granger read publicly his General Order No. 3, which proclaimed
that all slaves were undeniably free from that date onward and that
there would be "an absolute equality of rights and rights of
property between former masters and slaves"; and
WHEREAS, Held on June 19 of each year, the commemoration of
this momentous event became known as "Juneteenth," and celebrations
grew over the decades to include recitations of the Emancipation
Proclamation, readings by notable people, and such festive
activities as singing, parades, rodeos, street fairs, and cookouts;
and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth has been observed as an official holiday
in Texas since 1980, when legislation introduced by African
American State Representative Al Edwards during the 1979
legislative session took effect; with the adoption of that bill,
this special day became the first emancipation holiday in the
country to be granted official state recognition; and
WHEREAS, A much-anticipated event, the Juneteenth
celebration in Grand Prairie offers a fitting opportunity to honor
the myriad achievements and immeasurable fortitude of the African
American community in the Lone Star State and beyond; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the annual
Grand Prairie Juneteenth celebration and parade and extend to all
those involved in organizing the event sincere appreciation for
their efforts.
Turner of Tarrant
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 135 was adopted by the House on
October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House