HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation acknowledging the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 2013 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 150`h 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 1501h 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 20th day of November 2012.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners