HomeMy WebLinkAbout169-21 RESOLUTION113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-8323
Resolution: 169-21
File Number: 2021-0414
JUNETEENTH OFFICIAL HOLIDAY:
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE TO RECOGNIZE AND OBSERVE
JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, on September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation declaring that all enslaved persons in the Confederate States of American were freed;
and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take
command of his federal troops, to announce General Order No. 3 freeing all former slaves, and to
enforce the emancipation of all enslaved persons in Texas (estimated to be about 250,000); and
WHEREAS, General Granger read General Order No 3 at several locations in Galveston ending at
what was known as the Negro Church on Broadway where he told the congregation: "The people of
Texas are informed that, in accordance with the proclamation from the Executive of the United States,
all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between
former masters and slaves..."; and
WHEREAS, June 19th began to be celebrated in Texas as Juneteenth the next year, spread
throughout the United States for the next century and a half, and has become one of the most
recognized and honored celebrations of freedom in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas and forty-six other states recognize and honor Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, the United States Congress also recognized Juneteenth as the Independence
Day Observance of Americans of African Descent; and
Page 1 Printed on 6=1
Resolution: 169-21
File Number. 2021-0414
WHEREAS, Juneteenth has also been celebrated as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and
Emancipation Day and represents the completion of the "cycle of freedom" along with America's
Independence Day celebrations; and
WHEREAS, Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions, and countries -of -origin share a
common love of and respect for freedom, as well as the determination to protect their freedom through
democratic institutions; and
WHEREAS, it is proper and appropriate for the City of Fayetteville to recognize and support
Juneteenth as an honored holiday because: "Until all are free, none are free"; and
WHEREAS, many organizations support the City of Fayetteville's recognition and observance of
Juneteenth as a city holiday including:
Mayor Jordan's African American Advisory Council
University of Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Council
University of Arkansas Black Alumni Society
University of Arkansas Black Employee Group
Northwest Arkansas NAACP
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
St. James Baptist Church
Fellowship of Champions Church
Black Action Collective
PHA Hill City Masonic Lodge #347; and
WHEREAS, Washington County Quorum Court Member Shawdra Washington and Fayetteville
Council Member D'Andre Jones support establishing Juneteenth as a City of Fayetteville holiday.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby resolves that the City of
Fayetteville recognize, honor and observe Juneteenth as a formal, paid City holiday to encourage
education and community service by its employees beginning on June 19, 2022.
Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby calls on all persons to
Page 2 Printed on A/W1
Resolution: 169-21
File Number. 2021-0414
reflect on the history of slavery in the United States and the historic struggle of African Americans to
end slavery and discrimination in all its forms so there will finally be "Freedom and Justice for All."
PASSED and APPROVED on 6/l/2021
Attest:
GOER K
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Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treas;5rr <<f
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Page 3 Printed on 6/2/21
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479)575-8323
Text File
File Number: 2021-0414
Agenda Date: 6/1/2021 Version: 1 Status: Passed
In Control: City Council Meetinq File Type: Resolution
Agenda Number: C.1
JUNETEENTH OFFICIAL HOLIDAY:
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE TO RECOGNIZE AND OBSERVE
JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, on September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation
declaring that all enslaved persons in the Confederate States of American were freed; and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take
command of his federal troops, to announce General Order No. 3 freeing all former slaves, and to enforce the
emancipation of all enslaved persons in Texas (estimated to be about 250,000); and
WHEREAS, General Granger read General Order No 3 at several locations in Galveston ending at what was
known as the Negro Church on Broadway where he told the congregation: "The people of Texas are informed
that, in accordance with the proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This
involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves...";
and
WHEREAS, June 19th began to be celebrated in Texas as Juneteenth the next year, spread throughout the
United States for the next century and a half, and has become one of the most recognized and honored
celebrations of freedom in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas and forty-six other states recognize and honor Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, the United States Congress also recognized Juneteenth as the Independence Day
Observance of Americans of African Descent; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth has also been celebrated as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and
Emancipation Day and represents the completion of the "cycle of freedom" along with America's Independence
Day celebrations; and
WHEREAS, Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions, and countries -of -origin share a common love
of and respect for freedom, as well as the determination to protect their freedom through democratic
institutions; and
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 61212021
File Number: 2021-0414
WHEREAS, it is proper and appropriate for the City of Fayetteville to recognize and support Juneteenth as an
honored holiday because: "Until all are free, none are free"; and
WHEREAS, many organizations support the City of Fayetteville's recognition and observance of Juneteenth
as a city holiday including:
Mayor Jordan's African American Advisory Council
University of Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Council
University of Arkansas Black Alumni Society
University of Arkansas Black Employee Group
Northwest Arkansas NAACP
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
St. James Baptist Church
Fellowship of Champions Church
Black Action Collective
PHA Hill City Masonic Lodge #347; and
WHEREAS, Washington County Quorum Court Member Shawdra Washington and Fayetteville Council
Member D'Andre Jones support establishing Juneteenth as a City of Fayetteville holiday.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby resolves that the City of
Fayetteville recognize, honor and observe Juneteenth as a formal, paid City holiday to encourage education and
community service by its employees beginning on June 19, 2022.
Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby calls on all persons to reflect on
the history of slavery in the United States and the historic struggle of African Americans to end slavery and
discrimination in all its forms so there will finally be "Freedom and Justice for All."
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 2 Printed on 61212021
Legistar ID No.:
AGENDA REQUEST FORM
FOR: Council Meeting of June 1, 2021
FROM:
City Council Member D'Andre Jones
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TITLE AND SUBJECT:
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE TO RECOGNIZE AND
OBSERVE JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY
APPROVED FOR AGENDA:
Ma \
City Council Member D'Andre Jones Date
City Attorney Kit Williams ate
(as to form)
Williams, Kit
From: D'Andre Jones <dre91732000@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2021 10:50 AM
To: Williams, Kit
Subject: Re: Resolution for the City of Fayetteville to observe JUNETEENTH as an official holiday.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize
the sender and know the content is safe.
Thanks Kit
Sent from my phone
On May 7, 2021, at 9:39 AM, Williams, Kit <kwilliams@fayetteville-ar.gov> wrote:
D'Andre,
Attached is the Agenda Request form for you to sign to place your Juneteenth Resolution on
the agenda. I plan to also attach your email of May 4'h to serve as the agenda memo since you have
done a good job of explaining how Juneteenth began and why it should be celebrated. Once I receive
your signed agenda request form, I will place your item into Legistar for the June V meeting.
Kit
From: D'Andre Jones <dre91732000@gmaiLcom>
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 20215:40 PM
To: Williams, Kit <kwilliams@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Subject: Re: Resolution for the City of Fayetteville to observe JUNETEENTH as an official holiday.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Soundsgood
Sent from my phone
On May 6, 2021, at 5:29 PM, Williams, Kit <kwilliamsODfayetteville-ar eov> wrote:
D'Andre,
As you have seen from the tentative Agenda for May 15th, we have very many
items on it. So much so that the Mayor was trying to remove some staff items so the
City Council would not have such a long meeting that night. He asked me to request
that you place this on the June 1" Meeting which should still give plenty of time to
hopefully announce the adoption of a new holiday during this year's celebrations.
Please review this draft and let me know of any changes that you would like.
Kit
From: D'Andre Jones <dre91732000ra)email com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 20217:21 PM
To: Williams, Kit <kwilliamsHafavetteville-ar gov>
Subject: Resolution for the City of Fayetteville to observe JUNETEENTH as an official
holiday.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Resolution for the City of Fayetteville to observe JUNETEENTH as an
official holiday. The following organizations and elected individuals
stand in solidarity to observe JUNETEENTH as an official holiday.
The Historic St James Baptist Church
Fellowship of Champions Church
The NWA NAACP
The Black Action Collective
Perry Broadcasting Group
University of Arkansas Black Alumni Society
NWA Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Incorporated
Mayor Jordan's African American Advisory Council
University of Arkansas Black Employee Group
Omicron Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.,
The Honorable Shawndra Washington Washington County Quorum
Court
NWA MLK Council
PHA Hill City Masonic Lodge #347
For 150 years, Juneteenth National Freedom Day continues to be the
most recognized African American holiday observance in the United
States. Also known as "Emancipation Day", "Emancipation
Celebration", "Freedom Day", "Jun -Jun", "Juneteenth Independence
Day" and "Juneteenth." Juneteenth National Freedom Day
commemorates survival, due to God-given strength and
determination, of African Americans, who were first brought to this
country stacked in the bottom of slave ships in a month -long journey
across The Atlantic Ocean is known as the "Middle Passage"; and
Approximately eleven and one-half million African Americans
survived the voyage to the New World, the number that died is likely
greater, only to be subjected to whipping, castration, branding, rape,
tearing apart of families, and forced to submit to slavery for more
than 200 years after the arrival in the United States; and
Juneteenth commemorates the day freedom was proclaimed to all
slaves in the south by Union General Granger, on June 19, 1865, in
Galveston, Texas, more than two and a half years after the signing of
the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. For
the first time, in over 130 years of the annual celebration, Juneteenth
has finally been 'officially recognized" as Juneteenth Independence
Day in America by the President and Congress of the United States;
and
This reality is particularly underscored by the fact that it was in the
1st session of the 105th Congress via the bipartisan cooperation of
the Former Congresswoman Barbara Rose -Collins (D-Michigan),
Former Senator Carol Mosely-Braun (D-Illinois), Congressman J.C.
Watts (R-Oklahoma), Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-
Georgia), Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) and
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota), that Senate
Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56 were successfully
shepherded through both Houses of Congress, in a successful effort
to officially recognize Juneteenth as the Independence Day
Observance of Americans of African descent in 1997; and
Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions, and countries -of -
origin, share in a common love of and respect for "freedom", as well
as a determination to protect their right to freedom through
democratic institutions, by which the "tenets -of -freedom" are
guaranteed and protected. The "19th of June" or Juneteenth
Independence Day, along with the "4th of July", completes the "cycle
of freedom" for America's Independence Day observances. "Until All
are Free, none are Free" is an oft -repeated maxim that can be used
to highlight the significance of the end of the era of slavery in the
United States.
This resolution hereby resolves for the City of Fayetteville to observe
Juneteenth as a formal, paid city holiday, encouraging education and
community service among its employees and staff beginning June
19th, 2022. The resolution proposes for the city hall to be closed and
essential staff able to take the day off another time. The resolution
calls for the day to be notated as Juneteenth on any official websites,
notices, or publications relating to or referencing this day. The
resolution goes on to call on all persons to reflect on the history of
African American slavery in the United States and encourages
individuals to observe the day by volunteering with, giving
recognition to, or otherwise supporting organizations in Fayetteville
working to advance equity and social justice for African American
residents.
To learn more about Juneteenth visit: Juneteenth.Com
Best Regards,
D'Andre L. Jones - MSW, MA
Fayetteville City Council
Ward 1 Position 2
"Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't
have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your
subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.
A soul generated by love. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Received 05/27/21 3:43 PM
,� STo PAU L'S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
STPAULSFAY.ORG • P.O. BOX 1190 FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72702 • (479) 442-7373
"Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will with God's help."
Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer
Dear Fayetteville City Council,
St. Paul's Episcopal Church fully supports Council Member D'Andre Jones's "Resolution
For The City Of Fayetteville To Recognize And Observe Juneteenth As An Official
Holiday".
In keeping with The Episcopal Church's resolution to establish a response to systemic injustice
(Resolution 2015-0019), St. Paul's has made a long-term commitment in pursuit of racial healing,
justice, and reconciliation. We are working to tell the truth about race in our church and our
community. We are dedicated to participating in the repair, restoration, and healing of broken
people, institutions and systems in our community.
We support our city's proclaimed guiding principles of a diverse, growing local economy, pathways
to prosperity, being a safe and fun city in which to live, having quality public schools, and pursuing
educational, research and healthcare excellence. We call on all elected officials, policy makers, health
care professionals, community stakeholders, and people of faith to work together to create public
policies and programs that address racial disparities. Recognizing Juneteenth as a Public Holiday
upholds these principles and supports our vision statement "To keep Fayetteville a vibrant and
welcoming city that encourages diversity, creativity, and innovation while providing our citizens the
opportunity to thrive."
Thank you for your service, and for your thoughtful consideration,
St. Paul's Episcopal Church Vestry