RESOLUTION NO. 260544
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to raise and display the Juneteenth Flag at City Hall during the month of June to honor African American culture and celebrate emancipation; and committing to annually recognizing Juneteenth as a city holiday by raising and displaying the Juneteenth Flag at City Hall.
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WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of all enslaved people - more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, and Black Independence Day, is recognized as the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the observance of Juneteenth serves as a time to reflect on our nation's history, honor the lives and struggles of African Americans, celebrate Black culture and excellence, and recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for equality, equity, and justice; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City is home to generations of African American families, leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and public servants who have shaped the heart and future of our city, and whose contributions continue to uplift and inspire; and
WHEREAS, in May 2021 the City designated Juneteenth a City holiday, whereafter the United States Congress designated Juneteenth a national holiday; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City continues to recognize the profound importance of supporting and promoting culturally inclusive celebrations that strengthen community bonds and foster a sense of belonging and historical awareness; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the United States Supreme Court decision in Shurtleff, et al. v. City of Boston, et al. (2021), City Council provides ...
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