THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA EMANCIPATION DAY 150 Anniversary th Government of the District of Columbia Vincent C. Gray, Mayor i* *uk* 4 r,/2 anisfir 1-*f 'ir wi' it 19: THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA VINCENT C. GRAY, MAYOR . .- _fl I I 7; 15/ 15O"h ANNIVERSARY or DC EMANCIPATION ACT APRIL 16, 2012 WHEREAS, on April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the District of Columbia Compensatcd Emancipation Act that freed 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia, and effectively abolished slavery in the nation's capital; and WHEREAS, the District of Columbia is hosting a year-long sesquicentennial celebration of the District of Columbia Compensatetl Emancipation Act with a variety of programs, lectures, community projects, and other activities to commemorate this historic occasion around the theme: Commemorating the Struggle for Freedom, ]ustice, and Equality; and WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Emancipation Amendment Act of 2004 was signed into law on _lanuary 4, 2005, to officially celebrate Emancipation Day, as a legal public holiday observed by the District of Columbia government; and WI-IEREAS, the Government ofthe District of Columbia is committed to educating the public about our unique history in the struggle for freedom and the continuation of this struggle for full emancipation in the U.S. House and Senate: NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUIVIBIA, do hereby proclaim April 16, 2012, as the "150 ANNIVERSARY OF DC EMANCIPATION ACT in \ll/asbington, D.C., and call upon all the residents of this great city to join with me in celebrating eh this IT10 LIS a GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Executive Office of the Mayor April 11, 2012 Dear Celebrant: It is my great honor to welcome you, on behalf of the 618,000 residents of the District of Columbia, to the kick-off of the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of D.C. Emancipation Day. President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862, is an important milestone not only in African-American history, but also in the history of all Americans - and in the history of the District of Columbia. As Mayor of this great city, I am proud of the fact that our nation's first official act of liberation for African Americans began in our city -- because it marked the beginning of the fulfillment of America's founding promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. A hundred and fifty years later, we have made leaps and bounds in progress toward the fulfillment of that promise. Sadly, though, it remains a dream partially unrealized for residents of the District of Columbia - who pay federal taxes but enjoy no voting representation in our Congress, and who fight and die in our nation's wars without getting a vote in the body that declares them. As we celebrate the emancipation of the District's slaves 150 years ago, I pray today that we will soon be celebrating the political emancipation of the District's modern-day residents. Vincent C. Gray Mayor 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 www.dc.gov 'mg .- Me COUNCIL GF THE CIF APRIL I7 2012 ,gl 15 0TH ANNIVERSARY OF EIILLINCIPAHON DAY To the Residents of Washington, DC.: I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings as you.-recognize the 150th Amriver- sary ofthe Emancipation Day. This most important and Worthy occasion undoubt- edly will renew' your spirits. I do, however, Want to let you know how important it is that we share and preserve our Adfrican American history and culture Witla everyone. 'On the April 16? 1862 President Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compens-ated Emancipation Act that would free more than 35100 enslavedxpersons in the District. The District of Co- lumbia Compensated Emancipation Act represents the only example -of compensa- tion by the federal goyernmentto former owners of emancipated slaves. On January 4, 20051 Mayor Anthony Williams signed legislation making Emancipation Day an oftlcial public holiday in the District. With a series of activities scheduledrthis anniversary will be anphenomenal -experi- ence in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Emancipation Day. You have my best Wishes for a successful celebration. Sincerely, 4' X.) I i' Kwame R. Brown . I 11 -Vs Chairperson omrm lice on Small 81. Local VINCENT B. ORANGE COUNCILMEMBER. AT-LARGE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WASHINGTON, 20004 11, 2012 Committee Member Operzitinris llousing di.: Di. i im Business Development Libraries. Parl>>.s. I1 Il 1 . >>\ging (`nmniunil} ir oistizicr or COLUMBIA i EMANCIPATION DAY APRIL 16TH The District of Columbia Emancipation Day recognizes and preserves the cultural history and heritage of the District of Columbia. The 150m Anniversary of the District of Columbia Emancipation Day on April 16, 2012 is an important day in the history of the District of Columbia and the United States. On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act which released the 3,100 enslaved persons of African descent held in the nation's capital. The Act made the District's enslaved persons, the "first freed" by the federal government at a cost of one million dollars paid to the people who enslaved them. Nine months later, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 to mark the beginning of the end of institutionalized slavery in America. To recognize and preserve the importance of emancipation, after the Civil Warfformerly enslaved people and others commemorated the signing of the 1862 Act by parading down Avenue, in festive attire with music and marching bands proclaiming and celebrating freedom in the District of Columbia Emancipation Day Parade. The parade was received by every sitting President ofthe United States from 1866 to 1901, On March 8, 2000, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously established April 16" as a legal private holiday, and the Emancipation Day parade resumed in the nation's capital in 2002. On January 4, 2005, the District of Columbia Emancipation Day was made a legal public holiday recognized annually on April 62 The Honorable Vincent B. Ora e, r_ The John A. Wilson Building l35l) Avenue. NW Suite Office - TCI 202.724.8174 Fax - Ofiice Committee Ofiicc 2Ll2.'72'T.b683 Liluaii EMANCIPATION DAY - 150TH ANNIVERSARY April 16, 1862 - April 16, 2012 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PRAYER BREAKFAST - THE WILLARD HOTEL April 16, 2012 @ 8:00 - 10:00 AM Invocation Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Founder, Rainbow/PUSH The Occasion The Honorable Vincent B. Orange, Sr. Council of the District of Columbia Musical Selection The Lord's Prayer Soloist - John LeSane Welcome The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton Congresswoman, District of Columbia The Honorable Vincent C. Gray Mayor of the District of Columbia The Honorable Kwame R. Brown Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia Greetings Pastor Joel Osteen Joel Osteen Ministries Dick Gregory Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Founder, Rainbow/PUSH Musical Selection Come Sunday Soloist - Ebony Jackson Pianist - Jeffery Chandler Keynote Address Rev. Al Sharpton Founder, National Action Network Musical Selection Still I Rise Soloist - Wm. Keith Brown Pianist - Jeffery Chandler Closing Remarks The Honorable Vincent B. Orange, Sr. Council of the District of Columbia Benediction Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Founder, Rainbow/PUSH EMANCIPATION DAY - 150TH ANNIVERSARY April 16, 1862 - April 16, 2012 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE PARADE 11:00 AM LINE-UP - 7 & Constitution Ave., NW @ 9:30 AM STARTING POINT - 4th & Pennsylvania Ave., NW PARADE START TIME - 11:00 AM th SECTION 1 1. MPD MOTOR CYCLE UNIT 2. MPD HONOR GUARD 3. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD-HONOR GUARD 4. ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA POLICE DEPT HONOR GUARD 5. FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA FIRE & RESCUE HONOR GUARD 6. MANASSAS, VIRGINIA POLICE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD 7. ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD 8. UNITED STATES ARMY COLOR GUARD 9. UNITED STATES ARMY FIFE & DRUM CORP SECTION 2 10. 3,100 GRAND MARSHALS Local and National Leaders, Elected Officials and District of Columbia Citizens, from all walks of life, including men, women and children, march as Grand Marshals to represent the 3,100 enslaved men, women and children of African descent who were released on April 16, 1862 the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. SECTION 3 11. ST JOHN'S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 12. BALLOU SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 13. 54TH VOL. INFANTRY REGIMENT 14. MINER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 15. MLK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 16. DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 17. GIRL SCOUTS OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL 18. ANACOSTIA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 19. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 20. MISS BLACK USA DC 21. DC VOTE 22. GARFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 23. DC UNITED MLS SOCCER TEAM 24. DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 25. ROYAL TEA EVENTS 26. HARDY MIDDLE SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 27. JC NALLE ELEMENTARY MARCHING BAND 28. FEREBEE-HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS 29. MCKINLEY TECHNOLGY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 30. MC TERRELL-MCGOGNEY 31. MAURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 32. JOHN EATON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEERLEADING SQUAD 33. UNITED BLACK FUND, INC. 34. ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. 35. KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC. 36. 100 BLACK MEN, INC. 37. TOP FLIGHT CORVETTE CLUB 38. PLUMMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 39. MS. SENIOR DC 2011 40. CRIME & PUNISHMENT MUSEUMMCGRUFF THE CRIME DOG MASCOT AND REAL DOG 41. ARKANSAS BAPTIST COLLEGE MARCHING BAND EMANCIPATION DAY - 150TH ANNIVERSARY April 16, 1862 - April 16, 2012 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FREEDOM PLAZA PUBLIC PROGRAM April 16, 2012 @ 2:30 - 4:00 PM The Occasion The Honorable Vincent B. Orange, Sr. Council of the District of Columbia Musical Selection Lift Every Voice and Sing Greetings The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton Congresswoman, District of Columbia The Honorable Kwame R. Brown Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia Original Poem The Call of Freedom CeLillianne Green Poet, Attorney and Mediator Musical Selection The Lord's Prayer Soloist - John LeSane Keynote Address Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Founder, Rainbow/PUSH Musical Selection The Star-Spangled Banner Closing Remarks The Honorable Vincent B. Orange, Sr. Council of the District of Columbia EMANCIPATION DAY - 150TH ANNIVERSARY April 16, 1862 - April 16, 2012 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CONCERT - FREEDOM PLAZA April 16, 2012 Brian Lenair 4:00 PM Harold Melvin's Blue Notes 6:00 PM Familiar Faces 5:00 PM Jean Carne 7:00 PM FIREWORKS 8:30 PM VINCENT B. ORANGE i" 1' COUNCILMEMBER, AT-LARGE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WASHINGTON. D.C. 20004 Committee Member Cnnimillce un Aprll 16, 2 Sl Business Parks, Plum Aging |54 FROM LINCOLN TO OBAMA TO KING ON THE MALL The Anniversary of District of Columbia Emancipation Day is a singularly important occasion which links the historic Presidency of Abraham Lincoln with the equally historic Presidency of Barack H. Obama, as the first President of the United States of African descent. The alignment of the (1) November 6, 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln as the 16" President of the United States, (2) November 4, 2008 election of the first African American President of the United States, Barack H. Obama, (3) October 16, 2011 dedication of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, (4) February 22, 2012 groundbreaking for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, (5) April 16, 2012, 150"" Anniversary of the District of Columbia Emancipation Day, and (6) 150"` Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 2013 are historically important for the District of Columbia and for the United States of America. The 150th Anniversary of District of Columbia Emancipation Day serves as an appropriate time to reflect on how far the District of Columbia and the United States have progressed since institutionalized enslavement of people of African descent. |\/lost importantly, the 150"" Anniversary reminds us to reaffirm our commitment to forge a more just and united country that truly reflects the ideals of its founders and instills in its people a broad sense of duty to be responsible and conscientious stewards of freedom and democracy. ln that regard, freedom and democracy cannot be fully realized until the citizens of the District of Columbia have full voting rights in Congress, budget autonomy and Statehood. l/,at The Honorable Vincent B. Orange, r. The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Avenue. NWV Suite DC Office Tel 74 202.727_fl2ifl - Office Oflicc - Email us THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA EMANCIPATION DAY 150 Anniversary Thank you To all of the speakers, volunteers, guests, the United States Park Service, and the government of the District of Columbia for making this 150 TH th Special Thanks The Honorable Benjamin Cardin Senator, Maryland Democrat On March 29, 2012, obtained unanimous consent to place a copy of the "District of Columbia Emancipation Day - 150 th Anniversary of Emancipation Day an occasion worthy of the 3,100 enslaved men, women, and children of African descent "first freed" 150 years ago on April 16, 1862. Anniversary Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2012" (March 6, 2012, No. 19207) in the Congressional Record - Senate (Pages S2233-2234) Office of Councilmember At-Large Vincent B. Orange, Sr. Council of the District of Columbia Staff and Committee Members-- Shi Faust Gene Fisher CeLillianne Green, Esq. Robert Green, Intern Peter F. Johnson, Esq. Stacey Lincoln Estell Lloyd, Chief of Staff Mark H. Long Brittany E. Meagley Doug N. Payton, Jr. Elizabeth E. Webster