Juneteenth in Liberal begins by honoring Richard Mason

Mayor Connie Seigrist, right, joins Eartha Mason to show the proclamation declaring Saturday, June 16, as “Richard Mason Day” in Liberal. The proclamation stated, “Whereas: Richard Mason was the great grandson of a slave; and, Whereas: Richard Mason grew up in a time of segregation with limited opportunities on where he could attend school, where he could work and where he could buy a home because of the color of his skin; and, Whereas: Richard Mason found a home in Liberal after being recruited by an Affirmative Action Initiative to become a police officer; and, Whereas: Richard Mason earned the respect of the leadership he served; and, Whereas: Richard Mason continued to face racial obstacles and worked to overcome them by unifying his community through mutual understanding and respect; and, Whereas: Richard Mason’s efforts led to a community that has embraced its diversity and continues to follow down the path he started; Now, therefore, I, Connie L. Seigrist, Mayor of the City of Liberal, Kansas, do hereby proclaim Saturday, June 16 as RICHARD MASON DAY. L&T photo/Earl Watt