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5. c, <br />Proclamation <br />CELEBRATING FLORIDA'S EMANCIPATION DAY OBSERVANCE <br />IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ON MAY 21, 2022 <br />=Whereas, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, <br />stating that "all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof <br />shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free"; and <br />-Whereas, more than two years later, at the end of the Civil War, on May 10, 1865, Union Brigadier <br />General Edward McCook arrived in Tallahassee to take possession of the city from Southern forces, and <br />on May 20th, after official control of the region was transferred to Union forces, he declared the <br />Emancipation Proclamation in effect, and that "the people of the black race are free citizens of the United <br />States"; and <br />-Whereas, newly -freed slaves celebrated this announcement with a picnic at Bull's Pond, today <br />called Lake Ella, and since that first celebration in 1865 Floridians in many areas of the state have annually <br />celebrated May 20th as Emancipation Day in Florida; and <br />-Whereas, the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center will host the first "Emancipation Day" <br />celebration in Indian River County on Saturday, May 21, 2022, an event filled with great food, music, <br />entertainment, and a re-enactment of General McCook reading the Emancipation Proclamation on the <br />steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee in 1865. <br />Wow, Therefore, be it Proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners ofIndian <br />River County, ,Florida, that the Board congratulates the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural <br />Center on its leading role in the observance of this landmark day in United States' and Florida history, and <br />extends its warmest wishes to the entire Gifford community for an unforgettable Emancipation Day <br />celebration, with many more to follow. <br />Adopted this 17th day of May, 2022. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />Peter D. O'Bryan, Chairman <br />Joseph H. Earman, Vice Chairman <br />Susan Adams <br />Joseph E. Flescher <br />Laura Moss <br />4 <br />