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OFFICE OF THE CIT Y DURK
OAKLAND
Approved as to Form and Legality
22ilUL 14 AM 9M I
City Attorney’s Office
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
8927 5RESOLUTION NO. C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER TREVA REID
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL - 1655 (JONES-
SAWYER, MIA BONTA, AND AKILAH WEBER), WHICH WOULD ADD
JUNE 19, KNOWN AS “JUNETEENTH,” TO THE LIST OF STATE
HOLIDAYS AND WOULD AUTHORIZE STATE EMPLOYEES TO
ELECT TO TAKE TIME OFF WITH PAY IN RECOGNITION OF
JUNETEENTH, AS SPECIFIED
WHEREAS, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D., is joined by Assemblymembers Reginald Jones-Sawyer and Mia Bonta in introducing AB 1655, a bill that would recognize “Juneteenth,” or June 19th, as a paid state holiday; and WHEREAS, on June 16th, 2021 Congress passed legislation establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a US federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth is a paid state holiday in nine states, including Texas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Oregon, and Illinois; and
WHEREAS, AB 1655 would amend current statutes to include June 19th as an official state holiday for public schools, community colleges, and California State University systems. It would also extend to University of California systems, and grant paid time-off to all state employees; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation issued by U.S.
President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freeing enslaved African Americans in secessionist states. However, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, would not learn of their freedom until two years later; and
WHEREAS, on June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led troops into Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the insidious institution of slavery. As a result, thousands of enslaved people in Texas were among the last to be informed of their liberation; and
WHEREAS, today, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday celebrated on June 19th to commemorate this glorious day in history. The celebrations that began in Texas spread across the country, with cities and communities in California joining to celebrate this milestone in the American journey to freedom for all; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth is an expression of pride where we celebrate overcoming centuries of struggle and the courage that has gone forth throughout our history by abolitionists, educators, civil rights advocates, lawyers, trade unionists, public officials, and everyday Americans who have helped make the ideals of our founding documents a reality for all humans in this country, unifying the nation as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is an extension of the history of African Aniericans in America, where, like the Fourth of July, all Americans gather to celebrate our collective and continued struggle for human and civil rights, freedom, and independence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby endorses AB 1655 and urges the California State Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom to support its enactment into law.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REE), TAYLOR, THAO AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES
ABSENT
ABSTENTION -*
ATTEST:
'■ASHA REED
Acting City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of
the City of Oakland, California
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