Res No 049-21-15669RESOLUTION NO.049-21-1 5669
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami recognizing
Juneteenth as a City Holiday.
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of South Miami is desirous of updating and
codifying Juneteenth as a City holiday; and
WHEREAS, approximately eleven and one-half million African Americans survived the
voyage to the New World (the "middle passage"), only to be subjected to chattel slavery for
more than 200 years after their arrival in the United States; and
WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln first issued the Emancipation Proclamation
effective January 1, 1863, freeing enslaved citizens from legalized slavery in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth commemorates the day freedom was proclaimed to all enslaved
citizens in the south by Union General Granger, on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, more
than two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President
Abraham Lincoln; and
WHEREAS, in June of 2018, for the first time in over 130 years of the annual celebration,
Juneteenth was "officially recognized" as "Juneteenth Independence Day" in America by the
President and Congress of the United States; and
WHEREAS.. Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions, and countries -of -origin,
share in a common love and respect for "freedom," as well as a determination to protect their
right to freedom through democratic institutions, by which the "tenets -of -freedom" are
guaranteed and protected. The Juneteenth Independence Day, along with the 41h of July
Independence Day completes the America's Independence Day observances. The often
repeated proverb "Until All Are Free, None are Free" is appropriate to highlight the significance
of the end of the era of slavery in the United States and the celebration of freedom for all; and
WHERAS, the City Commission is desirous of updating the City Policy regarding City
Holidays to include Juneteenth Independence Day as a day of celebration in the City and a paid
City holiday; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and they
are incorporated into this resolution by reference as if set forth in full herein.
Page 1 of 2
Res. Noy 049-21-15669
Section 2. The City Policy regarding City Holidays is updated to include Juneteenth
Independence Day as a day of celebration in the City and a paid City holiday.
Section 3. Corrections. Conforming language or technical scrivener -type corrections
may be made by the City Attorney for any conforming amendments to be incorporated into the
final resolution for signature.
Section 4. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 5. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of May, 2021.
ATTEST:
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUA , LEG ITY AND
TTORNEY
APPROVED:
COMMISSION VOTE:
4-1
Mayor Philips:
Yea
Commissioner Corey:
Yea
Commissioner Harris:
Yea
Commissioner Liebman:
Nay
Commissioner Gil:
Yea
Page 2 of 2
Agenda Item Nol .
City Commission Agenda item Report
Meeting Date: May 4, 2021
Submitted by: Samantha Fraga-Lopez
Submitting Department: City Manager
Item Type: Resolution
Agenda Section:
Subject:
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami recognizing Juneteenth as a City
Holiday. 3/5 (Mayor Philips) (deferred on April 22, 2021)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
Juneteenth_Reso (1).docx