Proclamation_Juneteenth Day (June 20, 2015)
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, on September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation that became effective on January 1, 1863, and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates June 18 and 19, 1865 when Union General Gordon
Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the
state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery
in the United States and commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes
education and achievement; and
WHEREAS, 39 states including Iowa and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as either a
state holiday or state holiday observance; and
WHEREAS, Dubuque’s Multicultural Family Center will be hosting a Juneteenth celebration day on
Saturday, June 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Comiskey Park.
NOW THEREFORE, I, ROY D. BUOL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON BEHALF
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF AND CITIZENS OF DUBUQUE DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE JUNE
20, 2015 AS
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION DAY
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, AND URGE RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT AND ENDORSE THE
PRACTICE AND POLICY OF EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FOR ALL.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City
of Dubuque to be affixed this 1st day of June,
2015.
________________________________
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk
2015: Submitted and accepted by Dora Serna of the Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central
Avenue.
2014: Submitted and accepted by Dora Serna and Marrichelle Glover of the Multicultural Family
Center, 1157 Central Avenue.
2013: Submitted by Vice-Chair R.R.S. Stewart of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission (DHRC)
on behalf of DHRC and Dora Serna on behalf of the Multicultural Family Center