WHEREAS, the United States of America is a nation founded on the principles of freedom and justice for all; and

        WHEREAS, the Civil War was fought to ensure that freedom was shared by all Americans and on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which gave freedom to the slaves in the rebelling states; and

        WHEREAS, freedom became a reality for the slaves in Texas on June 19th, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation; and

        WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery and is a celebration of freedom and justice for all Americans, with a special emphasis on education, achievement and tolerance; and

        WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature designated the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day; and

        WHEREAS Idaho is the fifth state in the Union and the first state in the West to officially recognize Juneteenth Day; and

        WHEREAS many communities across Idaho will come together to celebrate this day and will enjoy a spirit of peace, tolerance and brotherly love;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim June 21st, 2008 to be

J U N E T E E N T H   N A T I O N A L   F R E E D O M   D A Y

in Idaho, and I encourage citizens everywhere to reflect upon the value of freedom and to join in its celebration.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 9th day of June in the year of our Lord two-thousand eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE