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Press Release Archive
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Governor Culver Proclaims Iowa Juneteenth
Observance
 (DES
MOINES) — Today, Governor Chet Culver
signed a proclamation proclaiming Saturday, June 20, 2009 as
the official Observance of Juneteenth in Iowa. This year
marks the 7th anniversary of the law designating Juneteenth
as an official observance in Iowa.
Although President Lincoln signed the
Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in 1863, enslaved
Africans in southern states, particularly Texas did not
recognize the proclamation until the end of the Civil War.
In Texas, slavery did not end until June 19, 1865. June
19th has become known as “Juneteenth” and celebrated all
over the country in African American communities to
recognize the end slavery.
“The Juneteenth Observance gives us an
opportunity to reflect on the many distinct accomplishments
of Iowa’s African-American community,” said Governor
Culver. “I hope that all Iowans join with me in marking
this special occasion and celebrating the rich diversity
that exists in Iowa.”
Below is the text of the proclamation signed
by Governor Culver:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
| WHEREAS, |
THE EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 1, 1863 WITH THE
INTENT OF PURSUING THE FREEDOM OF MANY OF THE MEN,
WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF AFRICAN DESCENT VICTIMIZED BY
THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY; AND |
| WHEREAS, |
THE GREAT CIVIL WAR
CAME TO AN END IN APRIL OF 1865, WHILE SLAVES
REMAINED IN CAPTIVITY IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE
NATION, GALVESTON, TEXAS BEING THE LAST GREAT
BASTION OF SLAVERY; AND |
| WHEREAS, |
GENERAL GORDON
GRANGER LED UNION TROOPS TO GALVESTON, TEXAS AND
READ “GENERAL ORDER NUMBER 3” WHICH ENDED SLAVERY IN
ITS LAST STRONGHOLD ON JUNE 19, 1865. JUNE 19 BECAME
KNOWN AS “JUNETEENTH” BY THE FORMER SLAVES AND IS
ANNUALLY CELEBRATED ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS; AND |
| WHEREAS, |
THE “IOWA JUNETEENTH
OBSERVANCE” WAS FOUNDED BY THE CONNECT FOUNDATION TO
EDUCATE ALL IOWANS ON THE PURPOSE OF JUNETEENTH AND
TO FOCUS ON THE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS FOLLOWING SLAVERY;
AND |
| WHEREAS, |
THIS YEAR MARKS THE
7TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAW DESIGNATING JUNETEENTH AS
AN OFFICIAL OBSERVANCE IN IOWA; AND |
| WHEREAS, |
AFRICAN-AMERICANS
PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHAPING IOWA’S HISTORY
AND CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL
CITIZENS. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT ALL CITIZENS OF
IOWA GATHER AT JUNETEENTH OBSERVANCES IN CHURCHES,
RECREATION AREAS, SCHOOLS AND OTHER DESIGNATED
LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO CELEBRATE FREEDOM: |
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NOW, THEREFORE, I,
CHESTER J. CULVER, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 20, 2009, AS THE OFFICIAL
OBSERVANCE OF
JUNETEENTH
IN IOWA. |
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