Proclamations for June 2022: Immigrant Heritage Month, Juneteenth, & National Jewish Heritage Month

Last month, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors passed a series of proclamations to highlight national holidays and celebrations taking place across the United States.

One proclamation was to recognize National Immigrant Heritage Month. Vice-Chair Lisa Strickland introduced the proclamation, and noted that Dr. Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, Associate Dean for Equity, Inclusion, Diversity at Penn State University, and Founder of the Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, brought the idea for a proclamation to the Board.

Dr. Sivaprasad Wadhia stated during the meeting,

"Immigrant Heritage Month is a moment to consider how immigrants are marginalized, how history informs this marginalization, and our collective responsibility to ensure immigrants, in our community and in Ferguson Township, feel welcomed and with the tools to thrive."

The proclamation was the first of its kind to recognize National Immigrant Heritage Month, along with Juneteenth Observance Day and Jewish Heritage Month.

The Juneteenth Day of Observance was introduced by Supervisor Williams. Juneteenth marks the emancipation of the last enslaved individuals in the United States in 1865 in Galveston, TX, where emancipated slaves celebrated their independence. The holiday is formally recognized by Ferguson Township, and administrative offices were closed in honor of the holiday. 

National Jewish American Heritage Month occurred in May of 2022, but a formal proclamation was passed in June to acknowledge the celebration for the previous month. Supervisor Caldwell introduced and read the proclamation at the June 21, 2022 Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting.

All proclamations are attached at the bottom of the page, and if you have a suggestion for a proclamation for the Board of Supervisors, see this article on how to submit an agenda item for future Board of Supervisors meetings.