HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-20-2012 - 4c 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 20, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-c
SUBJECT: Proclamation — Emancipation Proclamation 150th Anniversary
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Tara L. Fikes, 245-2490
Preliminary Schedule of Events
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation officially commemorating the 150th anniversary of the
Emancipation Proclamation.
BACKGROUND: On September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation
Proclamation declaring that slaves across America "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever
free" by the following New Year's Day in 1863. Thus, New Year's Day in 2013 will mark the
150th anniversary of this important milestone in US History.
Because of the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Human Relations
Commission is asking the Board of County Commissioners to recognize the 150th Anniversary
by considering approval of a Proclamation acknowledging this event. Additionally, the Human
Relations Commission has planned a series of events through 2013 to commemorate this
historic document.
The Proclamation and a Preliminary Calendar of Events through June 2013 is attached to this
abstract.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the Proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
150TH Anniversary of the
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission is committed to promoting
equal treatment,opportunity and understanding throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, January 1, 2013 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the issuance of the
Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln that declared"that all persons held as
slaves"within the rebellious states"are,and henceforward shall be free"; and
WHEREAS, by this act, thousands of enslaved African men, women and children were
set free from the degradation of human slavery; and
WHEREAS, this Anniversary commemoration recognizes an important period in our
country's history and "provides.an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more
about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the Nation"; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission encourages Orange
County residents to "celebrate in accordance with the spirit, strength, and legacy of freedom,
justice, and equality for all people of America"; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to preserving the progress made in the area of
equality during the last 150 years since the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation;
NOW, THEREFORE, We,the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby acknowledge
the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 2013 and encourage and
challenge all County residents to learn more about this historic document throughout the year.
This the 20`h day of November 2012.
Bernadette Pelissier,Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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Orange County Human Relations Commission
150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
Preliminary Calendar of Events
(Draft)
OCTOBER 2012
Community READ Book Selection Announcement
The Emancipation: An Act of Justice by John Hope Franklin
NOVEMBER 2012
Proclamation of 150th Anniversary Celebration -Year 2013
Community READ
DECEMBER 2012
Community READ
JANUARY 2013
Human Relations Month Forum- Sunday, January 27, 2013
Topic: Emancipation Proclamation
FEBRUARY 2013
Orange County Library Presentation: "The Life of Frederick Douglas"
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Pauli Murray Awards Celebration- Sunday, February 24, 2013
MARCH 2013
Community READ Gathering
Orange County Library Presentation:
"Race -The Power of Illusion" - Part I
APRIL 2013
Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Presentation
Orange County Library Presentation:
"Race-The Power of Illusion" - Part 11
MAY 2013
Dramatic Presentation
Orange County Library Presentation:
"Race-The Power of Illusion" - Part III
JUNE 2013
Stagville Plantation Presentation on Juneteenth
Emancipation Proclamation Original Document in Raleigh - Field Trip?
11/05/2012