THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY KITCHEN, LOGAN, WILLIAMS, EARLL, HUGHES, O'PAKE, STOUT, RAFFERTY, WASHINGTON, FERLO, COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, DINNIMAN, ALLOWAY, MELLOW, FONTANA, PIPPY, STACK, PILEGGI, FARNESE, VOGEL, ORIE, M. WHITE, BRUBAKER, BOSCOLA AND WOZNIAK, JUNE 15, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 15, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Observing June 19, 2010, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Originating in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865,

when slaves in that state learned that they had been freed,

"Juneteenth National Freedom Day" is the oldest African-American

holiday observance in the United States; and

WHEREAS, "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" commemorates the

survival instinct of Africans who endured a transatlantic

journey, known as the Middle Passage, on slave ships from their

homeland to this country; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 11.5 million Africans survived the

harsh voyage to slave markets in the New World during the late

17th century, and the slave population in the American colonies

grew quickly; and

WHEREAS, "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" further

commemorates the impact of slavery, the abolition movement and

African-American emancipation in the United States and has

become a traditional celebration of independence, human rights

and African-American culture in many communities; therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That the Senate urge Pennsylvanians to observe June

19, 2010, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in Pennsylvania.