WHEREAS, Juneteenth National Freedom Day continues to be the most recognized African American holiday observance in the United States and commemorates the first day of the celebration of freedom in America for all Americans, and the last known celebration for the ending of slavery; and

WHEREAS, on June 19, 1862, the United States Congress abolished slavery in the Federal territories pursuant to the provisions of Chapter CXI-An Act to secure Freedom to all Persons within the Territories of the United States now existing, or which may at any time hereafter be formed or acquired by the United States; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth also commemorates June 19, 1865 the day freedom was proclaimed to those enslaved in the south by issuance of General Order #3, in Galveston, Texas and the arrival in Galveston of the United States Colored Troops 25th Corps, in route as a show of force on the Texas border from a French incursion as they were led to deliver the news of freedom; and

WHEREAS, on June 14, 1866, slavery legally ended in all of America, the Oklahoma Territory, and the Federal Territories pursuant to four major treaties that were negotiated and formally signed - one treaty with the Cherokee, the Creek and the Seminole, and a combined treaty with the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations; and

WHEREAS, Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions and countries-of-origin share in a common love of and respect for "freedom," as well as a mutual determination to protect the right to freedom through democratic institutions established by the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution and these "tenets-of-freedom" were appropriated but not applied fairly to all Americans as a whole, however, the celebration of Juneteenth continued regardless; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth exemplifies the spirit of freedom for all, especially for those who, while making inventive, scientific, musical and medicinal contributions to America and the world; while serving in every one of America's wars and conflicts, from the revolutionary war forward; and while exemplifying courage, patriotism and exhibiting patience with grace, did so in the face and in spite of draconian laws and severe inequality;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the day of June 19, 2021, as

JUNETEENTH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY