HR0483

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 

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    WHEREAS, The institution of slavery was terminated in a 
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complex series of
events occurring during and immediately after 
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the Civil War; and

 

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    WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865, the last of the slaves held in 
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bondage in the
United States were set free; and

 

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    WHEREAS, All Americans benefit from and all Americans 
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should remember and
celebrate the ending of slavery and the 
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joining together of all of our people
in freedom; and

 

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    WHEREAS, Our free enterprise system is fundamentally at 
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odds with slavery and
has
been strengthened by its elimination; 
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and

 

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    WHEREAS, The African-American Cultural and Genealogical 
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Society of Illinois, located in Decatur,
began in 1993 with 25 
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charter members; membership has grown to over 150 and the

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organization is the only one of its kind in downstate Illinois 
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and is a
non-profit organization; and

 

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    WHEREAS, Because it is essential that all citizens learn 
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about African-American  history,
a splendid and glorious story 
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often not taught in our public and private
schools, the Society 
 


 






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helps to stimulate interest in African history in general,

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which pre-dates 5000 B.C., and comprises the early history of 
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all mankind;
thus,
the Society serves the entire community; and

 

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    WHEREAS, No single Day of Remembrance is currently 
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established for the
celebration of slavery's end; and

 

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    WHEREAS, The United States currently celebrates two 
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national Days of
Remembrance, "Flag Day" and "Pearl Harbor 
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Day"; and

 

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    WHEREAS, The State of Texas and six other states currently 
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celebrate
"Juneteenth" on June 19th of each year to recall the 
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end of slavery; and

 

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    WHEREAS, Each year, the African-American Cultural and 
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Genealogical Society of
Illinois presents its Juneteenth 
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Celebration National
Freedom Day Family Festival in memory of 
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founding board member Judith Bond;
this year, the organization 
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will present its 16th Annual Juneteenth National
Freedom Day 
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Family
Festival and Bicentennial Celebration in Decatur on June 
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19 and 20, 2009; therefore, be it

 

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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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recognize the African-American Cultural and Genealogical 
 


 






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Society of Illinois, and we commend the group for its work in 
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the education of the citizens of Illinois regarding the rich 
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cultural heritage of African Americans; and be it further

 

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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the
African-American Cultural and Genealogical 
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Society of Illinois and its Director, Evelyn Hood of Decatur, 
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as an expression
of our respect and esteem and with best wishes 
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for the success of the
Juneteenth Celebration.