As two anniversaries approach, the Mayor of Washington read two proclamations celebrating each during the city council meeting Tuesday.

Jaron Rosien first read a proclamation declaring Saturday, June 19th as Juneteenth – Freedom Day, commemorating the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States that dates back to June 19th, 1865. This coincides with the inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration being held in Washington Central Park this Saturday by MUSIC, Inc., Latinos for Washington, Inc., and Washington for Justice. Rosien commented on the proclamation, “I will share that parts of this proclamation came from our state legislature that has declared this. Parts of this came from a proclamation that we did here, and then I believe I saw an email that the Senate also unanimously passed a piece of work related to Juneteenth so I feel like we’re having a revival of sorts and it’s neat to see all those pieces come together.”

As the Juneteenth proclamation included that the Washington Police Department recognizes its commitment to providing law enforcement services to the community with due regard for the racial, cultural, or other differences of those served, Rosien then read a proclamation regarding the death of Washington’s City Marshal Aaron Bailey, who was shot and killed on June 25th, 1930, “Now therefore as we approach the 90th anniversary of Marshal Bailey’s death, I, Jaron Rosien, Mayor of the City of Washington proclaim June 25th as Marshal Aaron Bailey Day in honor of his service and ultimate sacrifice to the citizens of Washington and would encourage citizens to visit the Washington Police Department to view his memorial plaque.”

Police Chief Jim Lester says the plaque commemorating Bailey and Washington County Sheriff William Sweet who was also shot and killed in the same incident will be placed at the police department for display by June 25th for the public to visit.