Good morning.

I said good morning.

Oh.

Thank you to students.

Right.

Everyone, I'm John Grandage, assistant director for the division of Historical Resources at the Florida Department of State.

And it is my pleasure to see so many of you here today.

Today's program is full of inspiring reading pages, which include the speakers and musical performances, as well as the annual reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.

After the program, I invite everyone here to join us for a free lunch and activities right here in Lewis Park.

Now please join me in welcoming Doctor Reverend Matthew and William from Trinity United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, who will give the invocation.

Let's all pray together.

Almighty God, source of justice, freedom and hope.

We gather today for the canopy of the sky.

And in the heart of our beautiful city of Tallahassee.

To remember and to give thanks.

On this day, May this 20th year, 1865, and a new chapter began in Florida.

When the words of emancipation were spoken here, and the promise of liberty began to take root in the soil, we paused with reverence to remember those who lived and died.

And the long night before this day, those who labored without rest cried out without justice, and believed, even when belief seemed impossible.

We honor their memory, their strength, and their unbreakable spirit.

And we recognize that the freedoms we now enjoy were watered with their tears and built upon their hope.

We thank you, oh God, for this city.

Tallahassee.

A place where pain and progress dwell side by side, where we continue to reckoning with our past and strive toward a more just and compassionate future.

Bless this community, its people, its leaders, and all who work daily to uphold the dignity of every neighbor.

On this Emancipation Day, not only to reflect, but to act.

May we rise to the call of justice in our time as others did theirs.

Let us not be content with ceremony alone, but let our lives bear the fruits of remembrance in our schools and our neighborhoods and our systems, and in our hearts.

We give thanks for every person who gathered here, for those who speak and those who sing, for those who educate and advocate, for the children whose eyes are filled with promise.

And for the elders who carry the sacred memory of this day.

Unite us.

Almighty God, across every division stir in us holy dissatisfaction with anything less than equity.

Let freedom not be a relic of the past, but a living, breathing reality for all your children.

And as we sing, lift every voice and sing.

May our rejoicing rise not only in song, but in spirit a chorus of hope.

A prayer for peace and a pledge to keep marching onward.

Until every victory is truly won.

In your holy name we pray.

Amen.

Thank you, Reverend Doctor Williams, for setting the stage for the significant observance.

I'd now like to introduce Florida Secretary of State and his chief cultural officer, Court Bird.

Secretary bird is a fifth generation Floridian who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives to represent Florida's 11th district in 2016 and was reelected in 2020.

He was appointed Florida's 37th Secretary of State by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 17th, 2022.

Please join me in welcoming welcoming Secretary Bird.

Thank you, John, and good morning, everyone.

On behalf of the Florida Department of State, I want to welcome you to this year's 20th of May emancipation in Florida.

I want to recognize a few here.

Mayor Daley's here.

Good to see him here.

Representative Alison Tan and two members of the Supreme Court.

Justices Creole.

And we gather in front of the historic House Museum today to celebrate declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation and for the.

Today's events included amusing, a dramatic reading of the proclamation and in fellowship with one another.

Well, this is a time for celebration.

This is also a time to reflect on the magnitude and significance of the historic event that took place at this location 160 years ago today, at the conclusion of the Civil War, 1865, Union Brigadier General Edward Moody was assigned to receive the surrender of Florida Confederate forces in Tallahassee and the surrounding area.

General McCulloch set up headquarters here in Tallahassee and in the house museum, then known as the Hagner House.

On May 20th, 1865, General Cook announced the Emancipation Proclamation to be in effect, officially freeing all enslaved persons in the region.

We have celebrated this momentous day in Florida history every May when he says soon after May 20th, left Tallahassee and turned his duties over to U.S. military personnel from Jacksonville, including United States Colored Troops.

As we gather to mark this important day, the Florida Department of State and the John G. Riley Center and Museum are delighted to present this commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation out in Florida.

We do this in the spirit of this day as a celebration of literary history and community.

This is what you get.

The main event would not be possible without the help of many people along, especially the John G. Robinson Museum and Executive Director Doctor Aaron Myers.

The John G. Riley Center Museum has partnered with the Museum of History 20 years to put together the annual celebration.

I appreciate the commitment of all our Department of State staff who contributed to the planning and logistics of today's events.

We are also grateful to miss out on the Barnes for her leadership and dedication to ensuring that is made.

Thank you to the Capitol Battery Line drummers Hunter Hill, Tony James, William James Senior, Johnny Jane Senior and Wilson James and to Senior Friendly for providing the soundtrack for this year's program along with the Brownsville Repertory Institute.

Thank you to the City of Tallahassee for supporting the recognition of the 20th of the Me as a significant date in our history.

I would like to thank Mr. Jarvis for his the United States History Association and Mr. Ryan Bebo, who portrayed general the code for their contributions to today's program.

Thank you for joining us from Saint Michael, an all inclusive church, to share his remarks, as well as Reverend Doctor Matthew and William Methodist United Church for delivering this occasion.

Thank you to the friends of the Museum of History and Dewey and Sally Audley for their generous sponsorship of this wonderful event.

Last year we celebrated the bicentennial.

We are here in Tallahassee and counting on 200 years of sports Capital City.

Next year, the Department of State will be spearheading participation in the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

As we gather here today, and between those two major historic milestones, we have the opportunity to reflect not only on the hardships and the struggles that generations of people endured, but also to gain a better appreciation for where we are now and where we are headed together.

At this time of the year, I often reflect on the words of two giants in American history, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

In a speech on the 2030 anniversary of the massacre in the District of Columbia in April 1885.

Frederick Douglass said the life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.

So as we reflect on today and celebrate, let's all go forward in honesty and truthfulness with this.

On behalf of the Florida Department of State, thank you so much for helping us celebrate this important day in history.

Thank you, Secretary Byrd.

And now, please join me in welcoming students from the Brownsville Preparatory Institute.

Who are now.

Here.

In the stands.

For the.

Thank you so much for inviting us here today.

My name is Rita Brown.

I am the CEO of the Brownsville Institute.

Here we have the Brownsville Voices.

Under the leadership of Mr. Rashad Jackson, our kindergarten teacher.

These children are first, second.

And we have two graders in this group who I need from that.

So you can recognize how amazing it is.

Thank you.

We're so honored to be here today to commemorate this auspicious occasion.

And with that said, we will move it forward.

To.

The.

And everybody can see.

Call.

I have nothing and, I just came late, and I.

We just came, right?

I had a get and get a kick out, and of course.

And he.

Asking us, for lot of faith that the time has passed.

Does save us, a lot of hope that the present and, that.

Is that.

I mean, it's, Right.

You can me and my God helping me and.

Tell me how lucky I, I can be.

God today.

You and I can't wait to stay here and play a game like, play coming up and get, like.

Here.

Oh.

By the way, I was here right behind.

Okay.

And through that light up, that, Yeah.

Up to has to have.

An I mean, What else I will be is, alongside us is and Christ.

And, the way I let my life, I let us consider the way, let go and get it.

Any day.

Let us.

Hey.

Gonna make it high level heading and, the white House, the world.

If I get.

Stand up and make my day.

And forever.

Do I can.

Live salvation and glory.

Power to the Lord.

I got to go, I got it, me, the Lord our God is an important.

And lord.

The for the for we say I am.

I live to be salvation and glory I have I have had our to have, I I, Lord our God is my Lord.

Our God is my witness.

It is the Lord I God.

It I live up there, Lord.

I got up and I think I get the whole thing up.

Hey, keep still that he up.

He and I get it under the house making it and up and I, I let it, I get up, I may I ask you something, but if I lay your hair, I know how I see it.

What happens?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Somebody's gotta lay my hair with our other it.

What up?

Oh, I.

End up like, it's like.

Oh.

Oh like.

God.

Yes.

I am inside and.

I get it.

What up?

I get it.

I get what I really like, I get it up, I.

Just oh, no.

Thank you for having us.

You have your way.

Oh.

Oh my God.

Oh, no no, no.

Let's hear it again.

For the students round.

Go Academy.

What I'm looking for is.

Thank you.

Welcome.

My pleasure to thank the sponsors who made the event possible through their generous, support.

Today's program, sponsored by the City of Tallahassee.

The friends of the Museum of Florida History, the family of Doobie and Sally Oxley, and, well, anyone here who is a sponsor of this event, please raise your hand so we can give you that.

You may recognize.

Thank you again.

This is a great service to our community.

We greatly appreciate your support.

In addition, I'd like to thank the Division of Historic Resources, the Division of Arts and Culture, and Visit Tallahassee for providing support for this event.

Also, I want to recognize several of our special guests that I present today.

And when I read your name, please stand so that we may applause your presence and thank you very much for being here.

The Honorable John Daly, mayor, City of Tallahassee.

The Honorable Carolyn Collins, Leon county commissioner.

The honorable Rick Miner, Leon county commissioner.

Sheriff Paul McNeil, Leon county sheriff.

Minister dubiously.

Is Patricia Griffin, from central Bank, who is a member of the John G. Riley house for.

Thank you.

We also have the honorable Justice John D Coryell from the Florida Supreme Court.

And the honorable Justice JBR gross hands from the Florida Supreme Court.

Now, additionally, and please excuse me if I missed anyone, I also see that we have the honorable city commissioner, Diane Williams Cox here today.

We have our representative, Allison Tanner, here today.

The honorable City Commissioner, Curtis Richardson.

We also have the honorable city commissioner, Jack Porter.

And, Mackinac and the property here today as well.

And, sitting next to me, we have Doctor Larry Rivers.

We would also like to welcome our special guests from the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network.

They're here today for their Emancipation Conference, which is going to be, as Parkview advocates for the entertaining conference.

And we would like to welcome them and thank them for their support on this, and also for everything they do to commemorate these.

The statewide level.

We would also like to thank those who are visiting Tallahassee from 12 different historically black colleges and universities to attend.

Since they are here in Tallahassee to attend Florida A&M 1890 center for excellence for Student Success and Workforce Development, which is up.

Which is celebrating the 135th anniversary of the Second Moral Act.

We also want to give a warm welcome to students who are here from the Malone School in Jackson County.

Who travel more than an hour here to be here.

And I think you'll probably want to be first in line for lunch.

Okay.

Now, special thank you.

Also goes to all the volunteers who are here today.

We appreciate the many things you do to make this event possible.

Including the Tallahassee area chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. We thank them specifically for sponsoring the Riley Museum Freedom Bake.

These are.

And providing us with some delicious dessert.

Thank you for helping.

Commemorating this special day.

And now, before we hear from our keynote speaker, we invite you to lead the singing America the Beautiful.

Thank you.

For the song America Beautiful, I had the privilege and honor of recording with the U.S. Air Force during Operation Desert Shield.

It was distributed to our troops around the world.

This is my rendition of America the Beautiful.

Tick tock, tick tick tock, tick tock.

Hello, beautiful.

What are you.

In the red stripes.

Who wanted me so you're cutting all red?

Gracie made up.

American.

American.

Me?

God.

Thank you.

Reese, I.

Tell all success.

And noble.

That's.

And every day the defining.

What beautiful war speeches stop.

I remember waves of grain.

Purple.

Molly.

Majesty.

Oh, of the blue is waiting to.

I'm very drunk.

Sweet little berries of white God shed his grace on me.

In you.

And they back.

He is the broke.

Don't see to shine.

See?

Come on, stand up.

One America sweep America.

Russia is great.

He's shed his grace for me.

Oh, yes he did, I did.

He found.

I do, he did it wrong.

See you shiny.

See it?

Oh.

Oh, yes.

I just want to thank you.

Oh, oh.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Lee.

Now is my pleasure to introduce the Executive director, the John G. Riley Center, and his longtime partner and doctor Aaron Meyer, who will introduce our keynote speaker, Doctor Myers.

Will everyone be happy to turn your audience museum?

It's my honor to introduce our keynote speaker.

I am South Africa, South America revenue chairman, graduate in college, and the University of the West Indies, Barbados.

He served as a priest in his home country in terms of compounds in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and in 2001 was appointed assistant Bishop of the Virgin Islands and set up to serve as director of Saint Films Church in Jacksonville.

From 2007.

He was appointed rector in 2017, the Saint Michael's and All Saints Church, and finally to Tallahassee.

Reverend Chapman is passionate about social justice issues and currently serves as Vice President of the Campbell Area Justice Ministry.

And joining US Community Church is a Christian and Christian traditions is where let's welcome Reverend Hugh Jackman.

Good day everyone.

As it was just indicated, I am the rector of Michael's Church, and it's an honor and privilege for me to address this gathering today as we celebrate Emancipation Day.

Those of us who are religiously inclined recognize this portion of Scripture I'm about to share.

Where the Apostle Paul said to his Galatian friends, freedom is what you have.

Christ has set you free.

He was, of course, speaking about spiritual bondage.

And he went on to say, stand firm and do not submit again to our yoke of slavery.

You're not going back.

I see even hearing for the last couple of days.

The Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued by President Abraham Lincoln.

Thank you very much.

On January 1st, 1863.

But never got to see until May 22nd.

Little while to get to Texas.

Also.

But the May 20th general Edward M cook made a big announcement that a human servitude slavery had officially come to an end, meaning that those being enslaved, those who are regarded as property chattel, stripped of their rights, dignity and identity were lost.

Three time does not permit me today to remind you of the horrors of the slave trade.

Of slave markets and the literal decimation of slave families.

You were a part phrase.

It happened.

And perhaps the worst thing you can do is to deny what that institution did to men and women.

And to bless.

To sanitize those details.

No, it didn't happen.

Again, I simply don't have the time to speak of the legislation.

Let's just take two measures taken to ensure a great degree of control remain firmly in place after the proclamation, particularly for those slaves who live in the South.

Even.

Despite Lincoln's proclamation.

Vestiges of slavery remain in place.

Freedom of movement was curtailed, and the right to raise families and own property went down the road.

Except for those slaves who lived in the northern states and many of the slaves here in the South.

As we do know, did undertake a perilous journey to the South.

Those kinds of freedoms for those remaining here in South had to face restrictive laws that they could live if they could marry, if they freed a woman.

At one point, reading was regarded as a high crime and misdemeanor, almost.

This is what you just said.

Know your place really next to the fish was still to come.

For those who realized what faced them was a new form of separation.

That somehow, somehow brought the best out in the values were forged, skills were salt to ensure survival, and religion was an embrace.

And that promised real hope and expectation.

I stand before you today as an Episcopal priest, not afraid to share the truth.

My church counselor is true, and it is through the institution of slavery.

We built massive, ornate buildings that stand until today.

Story was different in the North.

Episcopal church was less invested in slavery, but nevertheless benefited a great deal from it.

All churches, schools, universities were all built on the backs of slaves.

The difference was that state law allowed to read and earn and raise families, took a little while to get to so for next year, Howard University Reverend Doctor Carter Davis put it emancipation was still coming and took persons like Reverend Alexander Crow, who, incidentally, was refused entry into our own seminary in New York.

He had to travel to England to qualify and serve as a priest.

And others like us, from jobs to help educate and prepare their brothers and sisters for the day when freedom would come.

Time.

I tell you all the stuff to draw attention to the racial and societal injustices that was present here in South Episcopal Church, much remains silent in the face of the abuses in the face of the Jim Crow era story and the help that was unleashed and those who yearned to be free dogs.

2025 and we know the story of those who bled and died.

So do so can be transformed.

So the division of the doctor came become a reality.

The work of emancipation must continue.

The freeing of the minds must continue.

The strengthening of the family structure must continue.

You education of our young people must continue.

This is just by chance that I have a doc with you in my hand.

Different coloration of my skin, but we all parts of the human race.

That's why we find a way to live and work and build this country together.

Therefore, this masturbation day must be a time when we reflect on what still needs to be done, what we owe to those who came before us, what we owe to generations to come, what we owe to ourselves so that that yoke slavery never returns to the shores of America.

Whether we, a native born, whether we are the immigrant population or those who joined us in this journey, we must continue to work and pray and struggle until all are truly free.

All are free to live, to love, and to celebrate life.

You know what?

This morning, thank you very much.

Thank you, Reverend Chapman.

Brian Nebo, the U.S. Army Brigadier General Edward McCulloch will introduce the Emancipation Proclamation and read the document.

Volunteers.

Have been circulating throughout the park to distribute today that program and the Emancipation Proclamation.

We invite you to follow along silently during the reading.

Mr.. Brian, Bebo is a comedy by members of the second Infantry Regiment, United States Colored Troops Living History Association, and you'll see them here appear off to my right.

And, Tallahassee.

Good afternoon.

I am General Edward McCook, the commander in chief of the Union forces here and is here today.

Since he arrived in town radio to see this is my command to order the Negroes back into the fields.

Meanwhile, the Negroes have come to me wanting to know whether they are still slaves or are now them.

I am now here to tell you that I can no longer order the Negroes back into the fields, that I can order the orders in those fields, and by the order of President Lincoln, the Negroes are no longer held in bondage.

I have President Lincoln's proclamation here, which I will now read in an effort to answer some questions you might have concerning the status of the bonds.

Is by the president of the United States of America, a proclamation.

Whereas on the second day in the year of our Lord, 1862, a proclamation was issued by the president of the United States containing, among other things, the following that the first day in January, in the year of our Lord 1863.

All persons held as slaves within any state or part of the state, that a people aware of shall be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then passed forward and forever free.

And the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, and any other person.

They may make for their actual freedom.

That executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall be in rebellion against the United States, and the fact that any state for the people thereof shall on the day be in faith represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen there.

There are two elections where the majority of the qualified voters of such state shall have participated shall, in the absence of strong, after failing testimony, medium conclusive evidence that such state and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the United States.

Now, therefore, Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, by virtue of the power the vested, is commander in chief of the Army and navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion, and against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war manager for suppressing said rebellion, due on the first day of January of our Lord 1863.

In accordance with my purpose to do publicly proclaim for the whole period of 100 days from the day first mentioned above, order and designate as a state, and participates in people thereof, respectively.

This day in rebellion against the United States.

For the following Arkansas.

Texas, Louisiana, except the parishes of Saint Bernard, Jefferson, and Saint John, Saint Charles, Saint James, Ascension, assumption, Tyrone, Lafourche, Saint Mary, Saint Bar in Orleans, and including the city of New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, the.

Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Except for the 48 counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties in the Berkeley, Accomack, Northampton, Elizabeth, City, York, Princeton, and Norfolk, including the cities of the North of enforcement and which is several parts of for the present.

Precisely this proclamation were not issued, and by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I to order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said that stage, as far as the States are, and henceforth shall be free, and that the executive government of the United States, including the military and authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons.

And I hereby able so declared that if these three were same for all islands, and unless and necessary self-defense, and I recommend to them that in all cases where they allowed they labor faithfully or reasonable wages, and that I further declare and make known that such person a suitable condition will be received into the armed services of the United States to garrison for us positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts, as service, and upon this act sincerely believe to be an act of justice warranted by the Constitution upon military necessity, and to consider the judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God, whereof I have here to set my hand, and cause the seal of the United States to do these things.

Then in the city of Washington, the first day of January and year of our Lord 1863, and that the independence of the United States of America, the 87 signed by the President Abraham Lincoln.

Just when I arrived, I came was on my shoulders, believing that I could rely on the good manners of the house people to cooperate.

And I had been disappointed.

I trust that I can now leave, and that Negroes and whites will work together to rebuild this great state.

Good afternoon.

So.

Thank you again to Secretary Byrd.

Reverend Doctor Williams, Reverend Chapman, doctor Myers, Mr. Bebo, our re-enactors, singers and drummers.

Everyone, thank you for joining us today.

Shortly following the conclusion of our program, please join us here at this bar for a free lunch which is catered by seafood Wings and things barbecue there already.

And I think you're already staffed.

And we also invite you to visit some area museums that are open and offering special programing related to this important historical event.

We are here to commemorate today the John Bradley Center and Museum, the Union Bank Museum and the Grove Museum will be open today starting here at 2 or 234.

Yeah.

We have a closed today program.

The drumming rhythm.

You've on this day since 1865 to celebrate freedom.

The Capitol battery line drummers who Secretary Bird mentioned in his remarks are here today to inspire us to join the celebration and think about the ways that has been commemorated for many years now.

Please enjoy the drumming and enjoy the lunch in Lewis Park.

Thank you all again very much.

Have a wonderful day.

So.