Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021 | 5A Juneteenth from page 1A So, as we establish Juneteenth as our newest national holiday, let us be clear about what happened on June 19, 1865.” On that day, two months after the American Civil War had end- ed, Union Army General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that more than 250,000 en- slaved people in Texas were free. He presented state officials with General Order No. 3 which stated: “The people of Texas are in- formed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Execu- tive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an abso- lute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore exist- ing between them becomes that between employer and hired la- bor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be support- ed in idleness either there or else- where.” This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas. FLORENCE HONORS JUNETEENTH U.S. President Abraham Lin- in the post-Civil War era began The pushback from the African coln had signed the Emancipation decades ago. This was mainly a American community was swift Proclamation more than two years response by civic leaders taking and highly critical of the plan. earlier, but Texas was never direct- note of regional celebrations as The announcement was met with ly defeated by Union soldiers and the event became more popular promises of protests at the Tulsa never officially freed those en- and widespread. This trend con- location if the rally took place. In slaved until forced by the arrival tinued in subsequent years and the face of mounting national out- of Feder- rage, the al troops rally was “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a u n d e r resched- Granger’s proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves uled. command. In 2020, are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights Lincoln O regon and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and was assas- Gov. Kate the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that B r o w n sinated on between employer and hired labor.” April 15, m a d e 1865, two an an- — U.S. General Gordon Granger, General Orders No. 3 months nounce- before his ment re- proclamation made it to Texas. was finalized with the signing of lated to the new law and shared According to History.com, “The the act this week. her support for further action. year following 1865, freedmen in The effort for formal recogni- “This year, celebrating Black Texas organized the first of what tion gathered momentum after the freedom and achievement on became the annual celebration of murder of George Floyd in 2020 Juneteenth is more important ‘Jubilee Day; on June 19. In the and the civil rights protests which than ever as people across Oregon, ensuing decades, Juneteenth com- erupted nationwide. The urgency the United States, and around the memorations featured music, bar- of the effort was accelerated af- world protest systemic racism and becues, prayer services and other ter videos of the murder became unequivocally show that Black activities, and, as Black people mi- public and mass protests against Lives Matter,” Brown stated. “I en- grated from Texas to other parts of police brutality swept across the courage all Oregonians to join me the country, the Juneteenth tradi- country. in observing Juneteenth by getting tion spread.” The situation was further in- educated on systemic racism in The push to permanently recog- flamed when former President this country and getting involved nize the Texas announcement and Donald Trump scheduled his first in the fight for racial justice.” formalize national recognition of COVID-era rally in Tulsa last year, In May 2021, the Oregon leg- the changes in American society on June 19. islature voted to recognize June- Florence ORganizes (FOR) will sponsor a June- teenth Celebration on Satur- day, June 19, outside at the Florence United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Florence City Council- or Sally Wantz will deliver a statement and read from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s bill recognizing Junteenth, which she signed on June 5. There will also be a spe- cial guest speaker, Holli Johnson, the newly elected first African American Di- rector on the LCC School A special thank you to the Florence community for voting us Best Hearing Specialist once again! For nearly 40 years, Best for Hearing has been helping this community with all its hearing health care needs. As the only full time, family & locally owned practice in our community, we look forward to helping you and your loved ones hear better for many more years to come. teenth as a state holiday, starting in 2022. Now, however, Biden’s signature on Bill S.475 authorizes immediate implementation of the law, which celebrates a national commemoration of the day mark- ing the end of slavery in Texas and the full emancipation of all former slaves. Biden spoke of the importance of this particular recognition of history and the lessons learned from the Civil War, but was also very complimentary of the efforts of members of both parties to pass the legislation. “Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments … they embrace them. Great na- tions don’t walk away, they come to terms with the mistakes they’ve made. In remembering those mo- ments, we begin to heal and grow stronger,” the president said. “I am especially pleased that we showed the nation that we can come to- gether as Democrats and Repub- licans to commemorate the day with overwhelming support of Congress.” The passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act will take effect immediately and many State of Oregon and federal employees had Friday, June 18, off with pay. Board Director. Other speakers include Siuslaw School Board Di- rector Maureen Miltenberg- er, LCC Florence Dean Russ Pierson and Rev. Dr. Karen Love Baisinger from the Visit us on the web T hE S IUSLAW N EWS . com Florence United Methodist Church. This is a family-friendly event and there will be fun activities for children. Musical entertainment will be provided by local musician and songwriter Sunny Sundstrom. Bring a chair and a picnic and enjoy the joyous event. For more information, visit forflorence.org. 2285 Hwy 101 Ste. M Florence, OR 97439 (541) 997-8866 bestforhearing.com Like us on: Emmanuel & Brandon ‘Family helping families hear better!’ NOTICE Siuslaw News presents: We’re buying used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Any make or model, paid for or not. Please call today for quote. All quotes by appointment only. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 Father’s Day Photo Contest 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 SIUSLAW PUBLIC LIBRARY BROWSING IS BACK! Celebrate your amazing dad & you could win! Made possible by: No appointment needed. All ages welcome. Masks required. Dad knows everything! Whether we want to listen or not, they always give us the best advice, so share yours with us. Upload your favorite photo of your dad and let us know the best piece of advice he ever gave you. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to win a prize pack valued at $200! Go online to thesiuslawnews.secondstreetapp.com/Dad-2 or email your dad’s photo and piece of advice to jbartlett@thesiuslawnews.com Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, June 20, 11:59pm. Florence: Monday-Thursday 11 AM - 2 PM Friday 11 AM - 6 PM Mapleton: Thursdays 12-5 PM. Walk-ins with limited capacity; no public computers. Curbside Pickup Call Mon-Fri 10-1 or online any time Pick up during browsing hours Item Returns In the lobby during browsing hours Public Computers Call for appointment 541-997-3132 WWW.SIUSLAWLIBRARY.ORG
