Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SJR56 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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3	3	2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
4	4	2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIO N 56
5	5	June 21, 2023 - Introduced by Senators BRADLEY, CARPENTER, LARSON, SPREITZER,
6	6	PFAFF, ROYS, HESSELBEIN and JACQUE, cosponsored by Representatives DRAKE,
7	7	EMERSON, NEUBAUER, RATCLIFF, OHNSTAD, SUBECK, VINING, BARE, ORTIZ-VELEZ,
8	8	SHELTON, GOYKE, DOYLE, C. ANDERSON, SHANKLAND, JOERS, CONSIDINE,
9	9	BRANDTJEN, ANDRACA, DITTRICH, PALMERI, RIEMER, ALLEN, HONG, SINICKI,
10	10	CABRERA, J. ANDERSON, CONLEY, SCHRAA, CLANCY, MCGUIRE, BALDEH, HAYWOOD,
11	11	MYERS, STUBBS, MOORE OMOKUNDE and MADISON. Referred to Committee on
12	12	Senate Organization.
13	13	Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin.
14	14	Whereas, Juneteenth Day is a national holiday that celebrates the end of
15	15	slavery in the United States, and Juneteenth Day specifically commemorates June
16	16	19, 1865, the day that Union General Gordon Granger spoke in Galveston, Texas,
17	17	proclaiming free the last remaining slaves in the United States; and
18	18	Whereas, Union General Gordon Granger delivered this news to recognize the
19	19	freedom of these men, and this proclamation was given nearly two and one-half
20	20	years after the Emancipation Proclamation was declared; and
21	21	Whereas, slavery in the United States lasted over 250 years and enslaved
22	22	millions of African Americans in horrific conditions throughout all regions in the
23	23	United States, including in Wisconsin, where hundreds of slaves were held illegally;
24	24	and
25	25	Whereas, Juneteenth Day is officially observed in 47 states across the country,
26	26	and Juneteenth Day has come to signify a celebration of African American freedom,
27	27	achievement, and history; and
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46	46	Whereas, Wisconsin has one of the nation's oldest and longest running
47	47	Juneteenth celebrations due to Milwaukee's first celebration in 1971, which began
48	48	when then-Northcott staff member Margaret Rogers told others how much she had
49	49	enjoyed a Juneteenth Day celebration in Georgia. Based on Rogers's experience,
50	50	Northcott decided to begin a similar tradition in Milwaukee—spearheaded in its
51	51	early days by festival executive director Marvin Hannah and coordinator Jan
52	52	Kemp-Cole—and the festival soon became the unofficial opening of summer; and
53	53	Whereas, the following have had a positive, instrumental impact on
54	54	Juneteenth:
55	55	— Executive directors and Juneteenth presidents: Joe Winston,
56	56	MacArthur Weddle, and Tony A. Kearney Sr.
57	57	— Juneteenth directors and outstanding volunteers: Adriane Griffin,
58	58	Adeline Pressie, Torre “ToJoe" Johnson, Tyrone Daniels, Robert Johnson, Ricky
59	59	Townsell, LaMar Franklin, Ben Johnson, Yvonne Kemp, James Carroll, Michelle
60	60	Crockett, Rep. Marcia P. Coggs, Rep. Annette Polly Williams, Rep. Lloyd Barbee,
61	61	Ruben and Mildred Harpole, Jeanetta Simpson Robinson, Mother Claretta Simpson,
62	62	and Word Warrior: Micheal McGee & KU
63	63	— Long-term organizational historical support: Girl Scouts; WNOV 860;
64	64	Milwaukee Black newspapers Milwaukee Courier, Milwaukee Community Journal,
65	65	and Milwaukee Times; Jammin 98.3 WFMR; WMCS 1290; and W AWA 1560; and
66	66	Whereas, Juneteenth Day brings the African American community and
67	67	persons of all races together in the fight for equality, and it is important as legislators
68	68	to promote solidarity in this effort; and
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95	95	Whereas, Juneteenth Day is typically celebrated in ways such as public
96	96	readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, educational activities, parades,
97	97	community festivals, and family gatherings; and
98	98	Whereas, Juneteenth Day provides a time for a reflection on the history of the
99	99	institution of slavery in the United States and Wisconsin, provides an opportunity
100	100	to educate Americans about the history of slavery and emancipation, and provides
101	101	an occasion to celebrate the continuing advancement of African Americans and
102	102	freedom in the United States; now, therefore, be it
103	103	Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature
104	104	hereby proclaims June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin.
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