IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE repealing section 1401., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to county holidays, to add a paid holiday to honor the Juneteenth commemoration and encouraging County associates to participate in a day of service to celebrate the day.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 5513, June 7, 2021
INTRODUCED BY Jalen Anderson, Dan Tarwater III, Ronald E. Finley, Crystal Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Theresa Cass Galvin, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is one of the oldest known celebrations commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, the first Juneteenth parades, held in Washington, D.C., annually from 1866 until 1901 and revived in 2002, celebrated the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia by the United States Congress, which occurred eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln; and,
WHEREAS, Juneteenth is traditionally known as a cultural event that celebrates the emancipation of slaves in America, even though not all enslaved persons were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation; and,
WHEREAS, three regiments of United States Colored Troops entered the Rio Grande Valley in the fall of 1864, long before Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, in June 1865 to issue General Order No. 3, announcing the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of all formerly enslaved people; and,
WHEREAS, Juneteenth was brought from Texas to Jackson County in 1980 by Horace M. Peterson III, founder of the Black Archives of Mid-America-Kansas City, as an annual heritage celebration and platform that recognizes the emancipation of enslaved Africans in America and pays tribute to the Black founders and important citizens of Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, JuneteenthKC is celebrating its 10th Anniversary of continuing the legacy of Horace and Barbara Peterson; and,
WHEREAS, in 2022, JuneteenthKC will host an annual Day of Service in honor of Barbara Louise Peterson, who dedicated her life to service for her community and raising and supporting her family; and,
WEHERAS, the Black Archives continues to play a vital role in Jackson County through the voluntary service of dedicated past and present members of its board of directors, a small staff, and committed volunteers; and,
WHEREAS, County associates should have the opportunity to pay tribute to the Black founders of Jackson County and celebrate Juneteenth by giving back to Jackson County through a day of service, now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Enacting Clause.
Section 1401., Jackson County Code, 1984, is hereby repealed, and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 1401., to read as follows:
1401. Holidays.
The County Executive shall by executive order establish the days and number of County holidays so long as the total number of holidays does not exceed [eleven (11)] twelve (12) per year. The list of holidays established by executive order shall include a Juneteenth holiday on the third Friday in June.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached ordinance, Ordinance No. 5513 introduced on June 7, 2021, was duly passed on June 7, 2021 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ________9_______ Nays _______0_______
Abstaining _____0______ Absent ______0_______
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 5513.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Frank White, Jr., County Executive