2013-02-04 Black History Month PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PROCLAMATION
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February 2013
Whereas, the theme of this year's celebration is "At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The
Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington"; and
Whereas, 2013 marks the 150`h and 50th year anniversaries, respectively, of two parallel events,
occurring in 1863 and 1963;and
Whereas, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all
slaves in the United States and beginning the journey to freedom and equality; and
Whereas, a full century later, in 1963, hundreds of thousands of Americans participated in a March on
Washington to assemble at the memorial to Abraham Lincoln and reemphasize the pursuit of freedom,
equality, and justice ; and
Whereas, 2013 also marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s celebrated I have a
Dream speech, which was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington,
with a message of justice and brotherhood; and
Whereas, the dream and hope of freedom, equality and fairness shared by President Lincoln and Dr.
King, coupled with the hard and painstaking labor of countless Americans, both famous and ordinary, has
brought us to a moment when the dream of equal opportunity is within reach for people of every color and
creed; and
Whereas, Black History Month is a time to tell of those stories of freedom won and honor the
individuals who helped raise the pillars of democracy; then
Now, Therefore, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors do hereby proclaim the month of
February as Black History Month in Pittsylvania County and that the Pittsylvania County Schools, County
Libraries and all of the Citizens of Pittsylvania County are encouraged to make a special effort to research and
acknowledge the contributions of President Lincoln, Dr. King, and of all the individuals who spoke, marched,
toiled, and bled shoulder-to-shoulder,risking everything to realize the God-given rights of the basic principles
of freedom,equality,and democracy for all races; and
Given under my hand this 4th day of February 2013.
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Jo
G. • .
Qf f arshall A. ,cker, Chairman
.`27, f (,,,u < ` `- Pittsylvan'. County Board of Supervisors
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'y., , i ice, . A•/ �� 'I
illiam D. Sleeper, ler” /
Pittsylvania Coun Board •f Supervisors