WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the freedom of enslaved African Americans, marking the effective end of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates a pivotal moment in our nation's history and provides an opportunity to reflect upon the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of African Americans throughout generations; and
WHEREAS, this observance honors the pursuit of freedom, recognizes the enduring contributions of African Americans to our nation, state, and community; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth encourages all Americans to learn from our shared history, acknowledge both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain, and affirm our commitment to the principles of liberty, equality, and justice; and
WHEREAS, the City of Statesville values the diversity of its residents and recognizes that understanding our history strengthens our community and helps foster mutual respect, civic engagement, and unity; and
WHEREAS, the observance of Juneteenth provides an opportunity for residents to come together in remembrance, celebration, education, and service, while honoring the ideals upon which our nation was founded;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, J. Douglas Hendrix, Mayor of the City of Statesville, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2026, as JUNETEENTH in the City of Statesville and encourage all citizens to observe this day through reflection, education, cultural appreciation, and community involvement as we celebrate freedom and continue working toward a more equitable and united future.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Statesville to be affixed this 15th day of June 2026.
This content is sourced from
Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
