Bill Text: TX HR135 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Enrolled

Texas House Resolution 135 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commemorating the annual Juneteenth celebration and parade in Grand Prairie.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-10-26 - Reported enrolled [HR135 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HR135-Enrolled.html



	H.R. No. 135



	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Residents of Grand Prairie gather each year to
	recognize an important milestone in this nation's history at the
	city's annual Juneteenth celebration and parade; and
	WHEREAS, The oldest known observance commemorating the end of
	slavery in the United States, Juneteenth specifically celebrates
	the emancipation of African American slaves in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger
	arrived in Galveston with federal troops to provide military
	support for Reconstruction efforts and to enforce President Abraham
	Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation; that same day, General
	Granger read publicly his General Order No. 3, which proclaimed
	that all slaves were undeniably free from that date onward and that
	there would be "an absolute equality of rights and rights of
	property between former masters and slaves"; and
	WHEREAS, Held on June 19 of each year, the commemoration of
	this momentous event became known as "Juneteenth," and celebrations
	grew over the decades to include recitations of the Emancipation
	Proclamation, readings by notable people, and such festive
	activities as singing, parades, rodeos, street fairs, and cookouts;
	and
	WHEREAS, Juneteenth has been observed as an official holiday
	in Texas since 1980, when legislation introduced by African
	American State Representative Al Edwards during the 1979
	legislative session took effect; with the adoption of that bill,
	this special day became the first emancipation holiday in the
	country to be granted official state recognition; and
	WHEREAS, A much-anticipated event, the Juneteenth
	celebration in Grand Prairie offers a fitting opportunity to honor
	the myriad achievements and immeasurable fortitude of the African
	American community in the Lone Star State and beyond; now,
	therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the annual
	Grand Prairie Juneteenth celebration and parade and extend to all
	those involved in organizing the event sincere appreciation for
	their efforts.

	Turner of Tarrant

	______________________________
	Speaker of the House

	I certify that H.R. No. 135 was adopted by the House on
	October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote.

	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House