2021 Juneteenth Proclamation

WHEREAS, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a 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 the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” this read in Galveston, TX on June 19th 1865 by General Gordon Granger; and

WHEREAS, The American Civil War started April 12, 1861 and as America approached its third year of the war on January 1st 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation proclamation, which in part stated; “all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever, free”; and

WHEREAS, It wasn’t until December 6, 1865 when the 13th Amendment was passed and made federal law, stating that, “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist in the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, We strive to remember and recognize these events because in the words of former Texas State Representative, Al Edwards, who authored House Bill 1016 making Juneteenth an official state holiday, “Every year we must remind successive generations that this event triggered a series of events that one by one defines the challenges and responsibilities of successive generations. That’s why we need this holiday”; and  

WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in June 1865… 901 days after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln.

THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the City of Kyle, that the 19th day of June should be celebrated as

“Juneteenth or Emancipation Day”

in recognition of “Freedom Day” and the spirit of Juneteenth that celebrates African American freedom, education, and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.

SIGNED AND ENTERED THIS 19th DAY OF June, 2021.

Travis Mitchell, Mayor

Dex Ellison, Council District 1

Yvonne Flores-Cale, Council District 2

Robert Rizo, Council District 3

Ashlee Bradshaw, Council District 4

Rick Koch, Council District 5, Mayor Pro-Tem

Michael Tobias, Council District 6