File #: RS2022-1607    Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 6/16/2022 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: Final action: 6/21/2022
Title: A resolution celebrating the first observance of Juneteenth as an official Metropolitan Government holiday and recognizing June 19, 2022 as Juneteenth in Nashville and Davidson County.
Sponsors: Delishia Porterfield, Burkley Allen, Kyonzte Toombs, Emily Benedict, Russ Bradford, Tom Cash, Thom Druffel, Erin Evans, Jennifer Gamble, Jonathan Hall, Tonya Hancock, Gloria Hausser, Angie Henderson, Sharon Hurt, Courtney Johnston, Antoinette Lee, Bob Mendes, Kathleen Murphy, Bob Nash, Freddie OConnell, Sean Parker, Russ Pulley, Dave Rosenberg, John Rutherford, Sandra Sepulveda, Colby Sledge, Zulfat Suara, Robert Swope, Jeff Syracuse, Brandon Taylor, Nancy VanReece, Tanaka Vercher, Ginny Welsch, Brett Withers, Zach Young
title
A resolution celebrating the first observance of Juneteenth as an official Metropolitan Government holiday and recognizing June 19, 2022 as Juneteenth in Nashville and Davidson County.

body
WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as "Juneteenth Independence Day," "Emancipation Day," "Emancipation Celebration," and "Freedom Day," recognizes the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the United States and is observed annually on June 19; and

WHEREAS, June 19, 1865 marks the date when the last enslaved African Americans in America, approximately 250,000 people, were told they were free when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3, almost two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, family gatherings and community festivals. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement, and planning for the future; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth celebrations are a tribute to those African Americans who fought so long and worked so hard to make the dream of equality and justice a reality; and

WHEREAS, on June 17, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, designating Juneteenth as a legal and federal public holiday; and

WHEREAS, the Metro Civil Service Commission held a public hearing on March 8, 2022 to discuss the addition of Juneteenth as a Metro holiday; and

WHEREAS, on April 12, 2022, the Metro Civil Service Commission unanimously approved the request to add Juneteenth as an official Metro holiday; and

WHEREAS, for the first time, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County observed the Juneteenth holiday on Monday, June 20, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of sla...

Click here for full text