PROCLAMATION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
WHEREAS, Black lives matter; and 
WHEREAS, racial oppression is deeply rooted in our nation's early beginnings  from the
mass exploitation of Native American populations to the enslavement of Black
Americans  and acknowledging this checkered past is essential to healing and
creating a more equitable future; and 
WHEREAS, on January 1, 1863, President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation declared
"that all persons held as slaves...are, and henceforward shall be free"; and
WHEREAS, news and enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation did not reach Texas
until June 19, 1865, two and one half years later  when Major General Gordon
Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and
that the enslaved were now free; and 
WHEREAS, Juneteenth (June 19th) is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the
ending of slavery in the United States; and 
WHEREAS, in 2003, Port employee Lilyian Caswell-Isley, former Director of Social
Responsibility, led the first celebration of Juneteenth at the Port, and through the
leadership of Blacks in Government, the Port continues to celebrate Juneteenth
annually; and 
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission has a social responsibility to combat systemic
racism and racism in all its nefarious forms, and work to contribute to a more
equitable and just world; and 
WHEREAS, the Century Agenda Goal 5 calls for the Port to "Become a Model for Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion;" and 
WHEREAS, in 2019 the Port established an Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to
address institutional racism and increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in Port
policies, processes, and programs; and 

*Amending November 17, 2020, adopted Proclamation

WHEREAS,  the official recognition of Juneteenth as a Port Holiday is a significant way that
we can celebrate freedom, help create a culture of belonging, and a more
equitable, anti-racist Port culture. 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby honors and recognizes
Juneteenth, the 19th of June each year, as an official Port Holiday for all Port employees, and one
of the many ways we celebrate our rich African-American cultural heritage, acknowledge our
history of institutional racism and slavery, demonstrate that Black lives matter, and advance racial
equity. 
Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 25 day of May, 2021. 


Port of Seattle Commission 




Port of Seattle Commission 







*Amending November 17, 2020, adopted Proclamation