RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF YONKERS DECLARING THE 19th OF JUNE, 2025 AS "JUNETEENTH" IN THE CITY OF YONKERS
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WHEREAS, JUNETEENTH is traditionally observed in June of each year; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, New York State began officially recognizing Juneteenth;and
WHEREAS, on June 17th 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an Executive Order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for New York employees, recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for New York State employees, in recognition of the official emancipation of African Americans throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law legislation (S.8598/A) designating Juneteenth as an official public holiday in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the news of liberation came to Texas more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. African Americans were made aware of their right to freedom on this day when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops to read General Order No.3 announcing the end of the Civil War and that all enslaved were now free, as well as to maintain a presence in Texas for the purpose of enforcement of emancipation among slave-owners throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is an important day in the United States history and deserves to be recognized as an official holiday in the City of Yonkers and all City employees; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth Month acknowledges the achievements of African Americans in the Military, the Arts, Civil Rights, Education, Entertainment, History, Law, Literature, Medicine, Music, Politics, Science, Sports, and other fields; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth reflects a proud legacy of courage a...
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