HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-08 06082026 ProclamationPROCLAIMING JUNE19mASJUNETEENTM
WHEREAS, The first juneb»en#hcelebration was in18O0.ayear after Union uoldier —.ledbyK4ajor
General Gordon Granger, landed etGalveston, Texas, onJune 1S.186'with news that
the war had ended inApril and that the enslaved were now free; and
VVHERE/\S. This announcement was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued
the Emandpation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, "that all persons held as slaves" within
the rebellious states "ane.and henceforward shall be, frne;^and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the determinat�on of the people who were seized and
brought to this country from Africa, and whose descendants were enslaved for over 200
years before the horrific institution ufslavery was abolished; and
WHEREAS, Junebeenthcommemorates that moment intime when the enslaved in[5a|mamton Texas
received vvordoftheir �endono, Anananonymous celebrant said, ''VVeimagine the '
depthoftheiramotinne.tbeirjub||untdunoamndthairfearoftheunkmown;" and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor belleves it is important to recognize the Nstorical significance of
junete8nthinorder toadvance racial' equity, human dignity and justice; and
WHEREA8. Juneheenth.the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration ofthe ending ofslavery in
the United States and what many people consider tobaAmerica's 2ndIndependence
Day Observance, is now a federal and state holiday, and,is also recognized by the City
of Bangor; and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor acknowledges black Mamers are disproportionately impacted by
poverty, which leads to higher rates of incarceration, food insecurity and negative health
impacts, due to systemic racism; and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangoraffirms, "We ho�dthese truths tnbe se|f-e0dent.that 2Umen are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights
that among these are Life. Liberty and the pursuit ofHeppinoaa.^
NQVV THEREFORE, |' Susan K8.Hawes, Mayor ofthe City mfBangor, onbehalf ofthe City Council
and the citizens ofBangor, dohereby proclaim June 1Q'2U2G.eaJungtenthtohonorAfricmnAmehman
history and encourage all community members to reflect on how . each of us can promote equa|ity, liberty
and justice for all people.
Given this the 8th day of June, 2026,
Susan M. Hawes, Mayor