HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation Black History Month
Proclamation
Proclaiming February 2022 As Black History Month
In the City of Hastings, Minnesota
WHEREAS, Black History Month is celebrated to raise awareness of African American
accomplishments and contributions to our society, AND
WHEREAS, African Americans are part of Minnesota’s story, from before it was a territory to the
present, AND
WHEREAS, George Daniels was an enslaved African American man who freed himself during
the Civil War by crossing battle lines to join Union troops. In the process, he and Brevet
Brigadier General LeDuc became acquainted and built a strong, trusting relationship. Daniels
moved to Hastings where he lived and worked alongside LeDuc, married Chloe Hudson, and
started a family, AND
WHEREAS, the story of George and Chloe Daniels is not unique and represents other African
American families that found their way to the Hastings area following the Civil War, AND
WHEREAS, In the early 1890’s, the Curry and Wallace families organized other African
American community members to establish Brown’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal
Church, which served as the center of religious and social activities for African Americans in the
area from 1892 to 1907, AND
WHEREAS, recent Census data show that the number of African American residents in
Hastings has increased by 51.2% in the past decade, Hastings continues to strive for racial
equity to provide a healthy community for all, and the City Council has made diversity, equity,
and inclusion an important initiative among its Strategic Priorities, AND
WHEREAS, the importance of observing Black History Month in the City of Hastings is to
acknowledge, recognize and welcome people of African descent and their contributions to the
City of Hastings, while simultaneously recognizing the injustices they have endured.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mary Fasbender, Mayor of the City of Hastings,
Minnesota and the Hastings City Council hereby proclaim February 2022 as Black History
Month in Hastings, Minnesota.
_________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor