GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1999
RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 16
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1486

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.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 22nd day of June, 1999.

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	Dennis A. Wicker
	President of the Senate

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	James B. Black
	Speaker of the House of Representatives