GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	2 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1486
Corrected Copy 6/16/99

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Representatives Womble; Adams, Braswell, Cunningham, Hardaway, Hensley, Luebke, McAllister, McCrary, Michaux, Oldham, Wainwright, and Wright.

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

─────────────────────────────────────── 

June 15, 1999

A JOINT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING JUNETEENTH AND HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO WERE ENSLAVED IN THIS COUNTRY.
Whereas, on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, news that slavery had been abolished reached the state of Texas; and
Whereas, former slaves in Texas began to observe June 19 as the anniversary of their emancipation and coined the term "Juneteenth"; and
Whereas, as these former slaves and their descendants began to migrate, Juneteenth celebrations were held throughout the nation; and
Whereas, for more than 130 years, Juneteenth has been commemorated annually and the number of people participating in the event has grown; and
Whereas, in 1998, the United States Senate passed a resolution encouraging the annual observance of June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day; and
Whereas, the historical significance of Juneteenth is worthy of recognition and celebration; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of the hundreds of thousands of African-Americans who were enslaved in this country and encourages the people of this State to actively participate in Juneteenth celebrations.
Section 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.