Houston Business Connections Newspaper©: The Meaning of Juneteenth

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A "2013 LEADERSHIP SERIES SALUTE" Goes out to former Texas State Representative Al Edwards for sponsoring House Bill 1016 that Made June 19th an Official Holiday in Texas

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In 1979, State Representative Al Edwards sponsored the bill that made June 19th an official Texas State holiday beginning in 1980.

A "2013 LEADERSHIP SERIES SALUTE" Goes out to former Texas State Rep. Al Edwards for sponsoring the bill that Made June 19th an Official Holiday in Texas

Aubrey R. Taylor

Publisher of Your Thought Matters Newspaper

For some, the Juneteenth holiday is a day for African Americans to pay tribute to the announcement of the ending of slavery in Texas. But I see the holiday as much more than that. To me, Juneteenth represents a day of freedom and reflection for all people. As evidenced by the images you'll see as you scroll down this page, people from all ethnicities are part of the celebration we've come to know as Juneteenth.

Along with saluting former State Rep. Al Edwards, on behalf of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Your Thought Matters Newspaper I would also like to thank Missouri City Council Member Don Smith, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen, and all the other city of Missouri City leaders who played a role in making the 2013 Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF) festivities a huge success.

WHAT JUNETEENTH IS ABOUT

JUNETEENTH pays tribute to the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas by Union General Gordon Granger (and 2,000 federal troops) in Galveston, Texas in June of 1865--nearly 3 years after Abraham Lincoln had declared all slaves be freed.

In 1872, Freeman's town residents Jack Yates, Elias Dibble, Richard Allen & Richard Brock purchased 10 acres at Dowling & Elgin and dedicated "Emancipation Park"--the first public park in the state of Texas-- as a place to celebrate their freedom, informally called “Juneteenth” and shortened way of saying “June 19th”.

In 1973, C. Anderson Davis, founder of The National Emancipation Association, initiated Houston's Juneteenth Parade--initially going down Dowling Street to end at Emancipation Park. With desegregation, the parade moved into downtown Houston. In 2012, it returned to Third Ward.

HOW JUNETEENTH CAME ABOUT

Texas State Representative, Al Edwards sponsored House Bill 1016 to make June 19th (Juneteenth) a state holiday.

The bill passed in 1979 and the MCJCF, along with many other grateful organizations and citizens throughout the State of Texas thank Representative Al Edwards for his dedication and tireless effort in making Juneteenth an official State of Texas holiday.

BIRTH OF THE MCJCF

During the fall of 2002, Councilman Don Smith involved residents, committed businesses and civic leaders in Missouri City, Texas in a collaboration to bring an event of purpose and substance to their community.

The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation was founded to highlight and honor the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation as it related to the State of Texas and the long-awaited pledge of freedom it carried for the slave population confined within the territory.

We honor this occasion by creating and supporting events that will positively teach, recognize, and demonstrate the importance of this hallowed day in American History.

THE MCJCF MISSION STATEMENT

Establish in 2002, the MCJCF endeavors to bring positive attention to African Americans and their great many contributions in American history while celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation.

THE MCJCF VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF) is to enhance the well being of residents residing within the communities of Fort Bend County, in particularly, citizens of Missouri City, Texas.

We endeavor to accomplish these goals by:

1. creating culturally relevant events & activities for the community which positively portray the modern African American lifestyle;

2. developing programs designed to identify, nurture, and showcase talented, deserving students and young adults within the community;

3. by bringing together individuals from all social demographics to share and understand the many benefits of good family living;

...all of which to be presented in an atmosphere laced in wholesome family values!

SEND YOUR HIGHLIGHTS TO: yourthoughtmatters@gmail.com

SCENES FROM THE ANNUAL MCJCF SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT AT QUAIL VALLEY

Not all of the Juneteenth action took place on stage. This fun and entertaining 18 holes of star-studded golf was open to all individuals and skill levels.These photos where taken at Quail Valley Golf Course.