RESOLUTION NO. 54
AMENDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ALBANY COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS A COUNTY HOLIDAY
Introduced: 2/8/21
By Mr. Clay, Ms. Chapman, Messrs. Efekoro, Fein, Ms. McLaughlin, Mr. Simpson, Ms. Willingham, Messrs. A. Joyce, Feeney, Beston, Bruschi, Cleary, Commisso, Ethier, R. Joyce, Ms. Lekakis, Mr. Mayo, Ms. McLean Lane, Messrs. Miller, O’Brien, Peter, Ms. Plotsky, Messrs. Reidy, Reinhardt, Ricard, Smit, Ward, Burgdorf, Domalewicz, Drake, Grimm, Kuhn, Ms. Lockart, Messrs. Mauriello, Perlee, Touchette, Tunny and Ms. Whalen:
WHEREAS, The news of liberation of slaves came to Texas more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, and
WHEREAS, African-Americans across the state were made aware of their right to freedom on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops to read General Order No. 3 announcing the end of the Civil War and that all enslaved people were now free, as well as to maintain a presence in Texas for the purpose of enforcement of emancipation among slave-owners throughout the state, and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures, and
WHEREAS, The faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race, and
WHEREAS, Slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in December 1865, and
WHEREAS, Over the course of its history, the United States has grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around the world, and
WHEREAS, By Resolution No. 136-b for 1999, this Honorable Body adopted employee rules and regulations which are applicable to all non-union employees of Albany County, and
WHEREAS, Contained within the employee rules and regulations are the holidays observed by county employees, and
WHEREAS, NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an Executive Order recognizing June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth, and declared that June 19, 2020 to be a holiday for state employees, and
WHEREAS, the County of Albany, being the Capital of the Empire State, has a proud history of being at the forefront in supporting, honoring and celebrating civil rights and freedoms, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Albany County Legislature that the County of Albany
(1) Designates June 19, 2021, as “Juneteenth”;
(2) Recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth to the United States;
(3) Supports the continued nationwide celebration of Juneteenth to provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the United States, and
(4) Recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is part of the history and heritage of the United States, and be further
RESOLVED, By the Albany County Legislature that the Albany County Employee Rules and Regulations, adopted pursuant to Resolution No. 136-b for 1999, as amended, are hereby amended to read as follows:
“ARTICLE VI: PAID LEAVES OF ABSENCE
H. Paid Holidays. The following days are observed by the County as paid holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If such a holiday falls on a Saturday, it will be observed on the preceding Friday and if such a holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday.”
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the County Legislature is directed to forward certified copies of this Resolution to the appropriate County Officials.
Referred to Personnel Committee - 2/8/21
Favorable Recommendation Personnel Committee - 4/29/21
Adopted by unanimous vote - 5/10/21