This Is A Big Deal and It’s Just Another Reason Why Desert Hot Springs, California, is Such a Wonderful Place to Live. On May 16, 2023, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs was Passed, Recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth and Observing it as an Official paid Holiday for City Employees.
Posted on May 17, 2023
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared all persons held as slaves are to be free. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and his regiment arrived in Galveston, Texas to declare that slavery had been abolished. From that time, Juneteenth celebrations have taken place in Texas and have spread throughout the nation over the years. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery. It is celebrated annually as a historical and memorable tribute to our country’s African American Heritage.
Juneteenth is an important opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions African Americans have made and continue to make within our City and across the Nation. As such, President Biden sighed a bill into law designating June 19 as “Juneteenth National Independence Day” and to be observed as a legal federal holiday. In September 2022, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill 1655 adding June 19 as Juneteenth to the list of state holidays. Adoption of this resolution would declare June 19 as Juneteenth and be added to the City’s list of officially observed and paid holidays.
This is just another example of why Desert Hot Springs, California, is such a wonderful place to live. Why? Because it’s a city that values all of its residents. Thank you City of Desert Hot Springs, Council Member Jan Pye, Mayor Scott Matas and the rest of the City Council for doing what’s right. Thank you for fostering an environment of fairness, equity and compassion. Our country needs much more of that.
Here’s the Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. ___
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOGNIZING JUNE 19 AS “JUNETEENTH” AND OBSERVED AS AN OFFICIAL PAID HOLIDAY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.
WHEREAS, the City of Desert Hot Springs is a charter city; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth National Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” “Emancipation Celebration,” and “Freedom Day,” is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States; and has been celebrated by communities for over 150 years; and
WHEREAS, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and declared that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free,” paving the way for the passing of the thirteenth amendment which formally abolished slavery in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, declaring that slaves were free, almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and
WHEREAS, June 19, symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of slavery, reminds all Americans of the significant contributions of African Americans to our society, and is a time for reflection and rejoicing, assessment, self-improvement, and planning for the future; and
WHEREAS, in June 2021, the United States Congress approved a bipartisan bill to approve June 19 as “Juneteenth National Independence Day”, to be observed as a legal public holiday, and the bill was signed into law by President Biden on June 17, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the City of Desert Hot Springs are encouraged to join together in celebration of freedom, family and community by embodying a spirit of peace, respect, and brotherly love, and to honor and salute our City’s rich cultural legacy and diversity; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems this resolution in the best interest of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESERT HOT
SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Recitals.
That the Recitals set forth above are true and correct and are hereby
incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 2. Adoption.
That, by adoption of this Resolution, the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs recognizes June 19 as “Juneteenth National Independence Day” observed as an official paid holiday for all City of Desert Hot Springs employees. When June 19 falls on a Friday, the holiday shall be observed the preceding Thursday and when June 19 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday shall be observed on the following Monday; and
Section 3. Certification.
That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution, enter the same in
Section 4. Severability.
That if any provision, section, paragraph, sentence or word of this Resolution be rendered or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences or words of this Resolution as hereby adopted shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. Repeal of Conflicting Provisions.
That all the provisions heretofore adopted by the City Council that are in conflict with the provisions of this Resolution are hereby repealed.
Section 6. Effective Date.
That this Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs at a regular meeting held on the ______ day of May 2023 by the following vote:
AYES, and in favor thereof, Council members: NAYS, Council members:
ABSENT, Council members:
ABSTAINING, Council members:
ATTEST:
_________________________________ Jerryl Soriano, CMC City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________ Jennifer A. Mizrahi, City Attorney
APPROVED:
_____________________ Scott Matas, Mayor