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Board Proclaims June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth Independence Day.

Post Date:05/07/2026 9:00 AM

At last night's regular board meeting, the board of directors proclaimed June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth Independence Day.

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT (NWRESD) IN CLATSOP, COLUMBIA, TILLAMOOK, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, OREGON, PROCLAIMING JUNE 19, 2026, AS "JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY"

WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, and Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19,1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved African Americans were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth is one of the longest-celebrated commemorations of Black freedom in the United States and honors the strength, perseverance, culture, and contributions of African American communities across generations; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth is both a celebration and a call to truth-telling, inviting our nation to remember the enduring harms of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, while recognizing the continuing work required to advance justice, equity, andbelonging for all; and

WHEREAS, Oregon's Black communities have long sustained the observance of Juneteenth through education, cultural celebration, advocacy, and community-building, helping preserve this history and deepen public understanding across our state; and

WHEREAS, public education has an essential role in helping students, staff, families, and communities engage with the full history of our nation, including histories of resistance, liberation, and the continuing pursuit of civil rights; and

WHEREAS, NWRESD is committed to fostering inclusive, equitable, and welcoming learning and working environments where the histories, identities, and lived experiences of Black students, staff, families, and community members are acknowledged, affirmed, and respected; and

WHEREAS, recognizing Juneteenth aligns with NWRESD’s commitment to educational equity, reflection, belonging, and partnership in service of more just and inclusive schools and communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the Northwest Regional Education Service District hereby recognizes and proclaims June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth Independence Day"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board encourages students, educators, staff, families, and community partners throughout the NWRESD region to observe Juneteenth through learning, reflection, celebration, and engagement with the history and enduring significance of Black freedom in the United States.

This Resolution is effective immediately upon adoption this 6th day of May, 2026.

Read the signed and adopted resolution: 26-016 Juneteenth Independence Day 2026

RESOURCES FOR ACTION AND FURTHER LEARNING

Websites:

• Juneteenth Oregon https://juneteenthor.com

• BlackPast https://www.blackpast.org

• National Museum of African American History and Culture https://nmaahc.si.edu

• Emancipation Proclamation (Archives) https://catalog.archives.gov/id/299998

Books:

• "On Juneteenth" by Annette Gordon-Reed

• "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson

• "Stamped from the Beginning" by Ibram X. Kendi