HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5442-08-2021 A Resolution
NO. 5442-08-2021
ESTABLISHING JUNE 19TH, KNOWN AS JUNETEENTH,
AS A PAID CITY HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation declaring "that all persons held as slaves... are, and henceforward shall be free."; and
WHEREAS, news of the Emancipation Proclamation did not reach the State of Texas until
June 19, 1865, more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and months after the
end of the Civil War, when Union Major-General Gordon Granger and accompanying Union soldiers
landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that all enslaved Africans and their descendants were free;
and
WHEREAS, the June 19`h became known as "Juneteenth", and has been commemorated with
celebrations and rallies across the State of Texas for over 150 years; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is a critical point in history and to the continuation of the work for
equity, equality and justice; and
WHEREAS, in 1980 Governor Bill Clements signed into law Texas House Bill 1016, which
declared June 19th, "Emancipation Day in Texas" and made June 19 a legal state holiday; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth has now become a national celebration with festivals, parades and
remembrances in many cities and states and nearly half of all states recognizing Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Public Law 117-17, making
Juneteenth a federal holiday; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Opal Lee, a retired educator, civic leader and Fort Worth resident, also
known as the "grandmother of the movement" was instrumental in the passing of the law to make
Juneteenth a federal holiday;and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Opal Lee was proclaimed by President Joe Biden as an incredible woman
and at the White House on the day the bill was signed into law, the President recognized
Mrs. Lee's relentless dedication in making Juneteenth a federal holiday; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth has historically celebrated Juneteenth by sponsoring
festivals, guest speakers, movies of importance and other activities for people to learn more about the
past and the history that has shaped our city, state and nation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth continues to be committed to supporting the interests of
all members of our community and is committed to the work for equity, equality and justice and desires
to make Juneteenth a paid holiday for city employees to serve as an opportunity to celebrate the
emancipation of African-Americans from slavery, and to acknowledge the continued work for equality
for all people; and
WHEREAS, The City Manager has analyzed the fiscal impact and proposed additional paid
holiday and is proposing the day, June 19th as a holiday in the upcoming City Manager's proposed
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT:
1. The 19th day of June of each year beginning in the year 2022, shall be known in the City of
Fort Worth as Juneteenth or Emancipation Day to memorialize the end of slavery in the
United States and to celebrate the Africans and African descendants who survived the
inhumanity of slavery and are thriving as American citizens.
2- The Council directs the City Manager to amend the City of Fort Worth's Personnel Rules
and Regulations to establish Juneteenth as a paid holiday for City employees, consistent
with the existing rules and regulations, to begin in June 2022.
Adopted this 1 Oth day of August 2021.
ATTEST: e
Ronald P. Gonzales, Acting City Secretary