IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
200272
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, LEWIS, HAMILTON, RAINEY, STAMPER, DODD, BAUMAN, DIMITRIJEVIC, ZAMARIPPA, JOHNSON, PEREZ, KOVAC, MURPHY
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation establishing Juneteenth Day as a federal holiday.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of federal legislation establishing Juneteenth Day as a federal holiday.
Body
Whereas, Juneteenth Day is the oldest recognized celebration observing the freedom of African-Americans from the bonds of slavery in the United States, and is a historic milestone in the fight for civil rights; and
Whereas, The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, but it had minimal immediate effect on the majority of enslaved people who remained in captivity and oppression by slave owners; and
Whereas, On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Confederate-controlled Texas to take possession of the state and to enforce the emancipation of enslaved people throughout the state; and
Whereas, This date marks the moment when the last of those enslaved within the United States were freed; and
Whereas, As time passed, the date June 19th became colloquially referred to as “Juneteenth Day” and is a celebration of freedom from slavery within the United States; and
Whereas, 46 states, including Wisconsin, officially recognize Juneteenth Day; and
Whereas, It would be fitting to establish the day the federal government emancipated the last known enslaved individuals in the United States as a federal holiday; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division shall seek introduction and passage of legislation establishing Juneteenth Day as a federal holiday; and be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to each member of the City of Milwaukee’s Congressional Delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB176152-1
Luke Knapp
6/15/2020