REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclaim June 19, 2022 as Juneteenth
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and issued General Order Number 3, freeing the enslaved men, women, and children of Texas. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on the nineteenth of June to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Texas and other Confederate States of America, ending slavery in the United States.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued on January 1, 1863, almost three years later, on June 19, 1865, it was finally read in Texas to enslaved African Americans advising them they had been freed, albeit years later. Texas was the last Confederate State to have the proclamation announced, after the end of the American Civil War in April of that year. Unfortunately, freedom had been delayed and denied for nearly three years.
DISCUSSION
As a Special Order of Business on June 21, 2022, the Santa Clara City Council will honor and commemorate the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the United States by proclaiming June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth in the City of Santa Clara. The City Council also calls upon members of the Santa Clara community to continue to work together and build connections and trust toward bringing an end to racism and racial injustices in our country.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Melissa Lee, Executive Assistant to the Mayor and City Council
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager