CITY OF SAN MATEO
RESOLUTION NO. ____ (2024)
RECOGNIZING JUNE 19TH AS A CITY OF SAN MATEO HOLIDAY
WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as "Juneteenth Independence Day," "Emancipation Day," "Emancipation Celebration," and "Freedom Day," is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last enslaved Black people in America were freed, almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and six months after Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery throughout the United States and its territories; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth is a day to acknowledge the suffering caused by slavery and to acknowledge the evils of slavery and its aftermath; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth represents the ways in which the freedom of Black people has been delayed and that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans, a battle that continues to this day; and
WHEREAS, the State of California recognizes the third Saturday in June of each year as Juneteenth National Freedom Day; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth offers us the opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of African-American people throughout our nation's history; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth also provides us with the opportunity to learn about, teach, and reflect on the complex history of the United States, including the fact that not all Americans celebrated their independence on July 4th, 1776; and
WHEREAS, the United States continues to struggle to meet the promise of liberty and justice for all, especially for members of our Black communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES that:
1. This item is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is a government fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).)
2. It will recognize June 19th, Juneteenth as a City holiday.