093_HR0404
LRB093 12135 HSS 17047 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The institution of slavery was terminated in a
3 complex series of events occurring during and immediately
4 after the Civil War; and
5 WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865, the last of the slaves held
6 in bondage in the United States were set free; and
7 WHEREAS, All Americans benefit from and all Americans
8 should remember and celebrate the ending of slavery and the
9 joining together of all of our people in freedom; and
10 WHEREAS, Our free enterprise system is fundamentally at
11 odds with slavery and has been strengthened by its
12 elimination; and
13 WHEREAS, The African-American Cultural and Genealogical
14 Society of Illinois began in 1993 with 25 charter members;
15 membership has grown to over 150 and the organization is the
16 only one of its kind in downstate Illinois and is a
17 non-profit organization; and
18 WHEREAS, Because it is essential that African Americans
19 learn their history, a splendid and glorious story often not
20 taught in our public and private schools, the Society helps
21 to stimulate interest in African history in general, which
22 pre-dates 5000 B.C., and comprises the early history of all
23 mankind; thus, the Society serves the entire community; and
24 WHEREAS, No single Day of Remembrance is currently
25 established for the celebration of slavery's end; and
26 WHEREAS, The United States currently celebrates two
27 national Days of Remembrance, "Flag Day" and "Pearl Harbor
28 Day"; and
29 WHEREAS, The State of Texas and six other states
30 currently celebrate "Juneteenth" on June 19th of each year to
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1 recall the end of slavery; and
2 WHEREAS, Each year, the African-American Cultural and
3 Genealogical Society of Illinois presents its Juneteenth
4 Celebration National Freedom Day Family Festival in memory of
5 founding board member Judith Bond; this year, the
6 organization will present its 10th Annual Juneteenth Family
7 Festival Celebration in Decatur on Friday, June 20, 2003;
8 therefore, be it
9 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11 we recognize the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
12 Society of Illinois, and we commend the group for its work in
13 the education of the citizens of Illinois regarding the rich
14 cultural heritage of African Americans; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16 presented to the African-American Cultural and Genealogical
17 Society of Illinois as an expression of our respect and
18 esteem and with best wishes for the success of the Juneteenth
19 Celebration.