On Thursday, June 11, the Brownsburg Town Council President issued a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth, a celebration which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. 

The event, celebrated on June 19 of each year, commemorates the arrival of Union troops to Galveston, Texas in 1865 to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free all remaining enslaved African Americans.

Full text of the proclamation is available below:

Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which granted freedom to all enslaved, although freedom did not become a reality for the enslaved people of Texas; and

Whereas, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, sharing with the residents of Galveston, TX, that in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation “all slaves are free;” and 

Whereas, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States; and

Whereas, Juneteenth is recognized nationally and celebrates Black American freedom and achievement, while encouraging helping to promote knowledge and appreciation of Black American history, resilience, family, community, and culture; and 

Whereas, we honor the legacy of those who first received the news on that unforgettable day in Galveston and pledge to continue our efforts to lift up the importance and history of Juneteenth to advance equity and inclusion for all members of our community.

Now, therefore, I, Ben Lacey, Town Council President of the Town of Brownsburg, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2026, as 

JUNETEENTH

in the Town of Brownsburg, and I urge all residents to reflect on the value of freedom and justice for all.