FOSTER
CITY
LICORPORATED 191.
Proclamation
of the City of Foster City, California
Recognizing and Observing "Juneteenth"
WHEREAS, news about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1963 was delayed some two and a half years, to June 19, 1865, in reaching the South and Southwestern United States; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, also known as "Emancipation Day," "Emancipation Celebration, " "Freedom Day," "Jubilee Day," "Cel-Liberation Day," and "Juneteenth," was first observed 157 years ago and marks the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved Black Americans; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, and all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday; and WHEREAS, since 2003, the State of California has celebrated Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant contributions of Black Americans to our nation; and WHEREAS, on Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice, and recognize the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility. As we honor Juneteenth, let us all redouble our commitment to use our power to stamp out racism in our communities and institutions and help secure freedom for all; and
WHEREAS, this Juneteenth, we must take pause to recognize the tremendous amount of work that still needs to be done to eliminate discrimination and to create a society that is fair and inclusive, and each of us must take the time to use our privilege to enact change; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth, in Foster City, provides our community with one more opportunity to consciously embrace the historical significance of our nation's history and to celebrate our inalienable right to life and liberty.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PATRICK SULLIVAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, do hereby recognize and observe June 19, 2024 as "Juneteenth," and celebrate the achievements and contributions Black Americans have made, and continue to make, in Foster City, in California, and across the nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand and have caused the official seal of the City
of Foster City to be affixed this 17th day of June,
two thousand and twenty-four, A.D.
PATRICK SULLIVAN, MAYOR