Winnebago County State's Attorney Annual Ethic's Training
Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross
Welcome to our 11th Annual Ethics 101 for Prosecutors Training Seminar
Juneteenth an american holiday
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Cel-Liberation Day or the Black Fourth of July, is an American holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865.
On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending the Civil War and granting freedom to all African American slaves. However, many slave states were remote and several slave owners fled to Texas due to its location. These slave owners continued to engage in human bondage and the Emancipation Proclamation was not enforced there until June 19, 1865 more than two years after the Civil War ended.
JUNETEENTH. Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth is observed on June 19. The celebration originated in Texas when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston. He announced on June 19, 1865, with General Orders, Number 3 that the Civil War was over and all slaves were now freedmen
Texas declared Juneteenth an official state holiday in 1980. Forty-six of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday, or a day of observance. The four states that do not recognize Juneteenth are Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. In 1997, the founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF), Ben Haith, created the Juneteenth flag.
The colors red, white, and blue echo the American flag to symbolize that the enslaved people and their descendants were Americans. The star in the middle pays homage to Texas, while the bursting "new star" on the "horizon" of the red and blue fields represents a new freedom and a new people.
The Juneteenth Flag celebrates the beginning of the emancipation of slavery on June 19th, 1865. The flag represents the history and freedom of African American slaves and their descendants. An important moment in American history to celebrate every summer. Americans have celebrated this holiday for over 150 years.
National Awareness Month
June is National ALS Awareness Month
ALS Awareness Month is a campaign to spread awareness of and raise funds for research for a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
A Message from State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross
As State’s Attorney of Winnebago County I am deeply saddened by the death of Mr. George Floyd and want to again express my condolences to the Floyd family as he is laid to rest today in Houston, Texas. Whenever there is a loss of life there is a flower that has been plucked, and forever removed from the family garden. However, when that loss of life is the result of someone who has breached their sworn duty to serve and protect it is inexcusable.
As a career prosecutor serving as both State’s Attorney and Assistant State’s Attorney, I entered this role because I believe in truth and justice. Even when my decisions were unpopular, I knew that those decisions were made in an ethical and honest manner and in accordance with the law. I believe that the state’s attorney’s office should be reflective of the community in which it serves and those who commit crimes whether a civilian, police officer, or in any other profession should be held accountable.
As former special assistant state’s attorney to Kane County State’s Attorney Joseph McMahon, I served on the trial team that successfully prosecuted and held former Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke accountable for the murder of sixteen year old Laquan McDonald. Therefore, I am hopeful that the Floyd family and other families will find comfort in knowing that with God all things are possible and that they will receive justice in the loss of their loved ones.
Marilyn Hite Ross
Winnebago County State's Attorney
A Message From State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross
Although many may find the current protests inconvenient, the right to peaceably assemble is a guaranteed right. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states as follows:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
This is one of the basic tenets on which our country was founded. The First Amendment provides a viable means for people to petition the government to redress their grievances and concerns and to communicate their message to the masses. I want to thank the leaders and organizers for organizing peaceful events and for exercising their freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in a peaceful manner. For I am reminded that sometimes:
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
I as well as law enforcement will continue to work to ensure a safe environment for those exercising their First Amendment rights in a peaceful manner.
Marilyn Hite Ross
Winnebago County State’s Attorney
May 25 is National Missing Children's Day!
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25th as National Missing Children's Day. National Missing Children's Day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers, and others concerned with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority. It serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families and an occasion to honor those dedicated to this noble cause.
Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 by the Mental Health Awareness organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health). Each year in mid-March Mental Health America releases a toolkit of materials to guide preparation for outreach activities during Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May, Mental Health America, its affiliates, and other organizations interested in mental health conduct a number of activities which are based on a different theme each year.