MONTICELLO  — The Sullivan County Legislature celebrated Juneteenth by honoring the Watsons, a local family that represents multiple generations of excellence in law enforcement and public service. 

The celebration included remarks by Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission Ramone Wilson, District Attorney of Orange County David Hoovler, Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, Historian Alvin Dumas, President of Sullivan County’s NAACP David Jett, and musical performances by classic doo-wop group the Chantels. 

District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward gave a brief biography of the musical guests, who formed in 1957 in the Bronx.

“The Chantels were a trailblazing American girl group that emerged during the late 1950s…leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. Known for their sweet harmonies, emotional ballads, and pioneering role as one of the first African American girl groups, The Chantels covered their place in music history.” 

Renee Minus White, a founding member of the Chantels, and her daughter Naomi White Randolph, who sings lead vocals with the group now, kicked off the festivities with an inspiring rendition of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” 

Ramone Wilson provided context with a brief history: “Juneteenth, short for June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had legally freed them. This date is considered the true end of slavery in the United States.” 

“Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, enforcement depended on Union troops…Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone; it stands as a symbol of delayed justice and the endurance of Black Americans, a celebration of freedom, family, and resilience…in 2021 Juneteenth became a federal holiday, reminding us all that the pursuit of true freedom is still relevant.”

Ward, who organized the celebration, said, “This is the first time that we’re, on Juneteenth, recognizing someone in the community, who really exemplify all that was fought for, for the freedoms of African Americans, and to really be able to create a legacy of civic duty and community service.” 

Ward then read aloud the proclamation, which honored Monticello native Tommy Watson Sr, and his family. Tommy Watson Sr. has served in law enforcement for nearly four decades and is currently the Chief Criminal Investigator for the Orange County D.A.’s Office, where he supervises the Criminal Investigations Unit, Digital Forensic Unit, Arson and Explosion Unit, White Collar Crime Unit, and the Drug Task Force. 

D. A. Hoovler said, “Mr. Watson is an incredible person, a family man, and his accomplishments to his community and law enforcement are second to none. He’s one of my most trusted people in the office.”

Watson was also praised by Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, who said, “I don’t have enough words to say about Tommy Watson Sr. I’ve been in a lot of situations with him, I’ve seen him interact with a lot of people; there is no better man than Tommy Watson, Sr.” 

Schiff said he is very proud to have Watson’s son, Tommy Watson Jr., working for him as a corrections officer. Tommy Watson Jr. recently made the transition to work in the Sullivan County Jail following the statewide prison strike that left thousands of corrections officers unemployed. Schiff said, “What happened to the corrections officers is horrible, and it shouldn’t have happened. But I’m hoping that coming to work for us- if you’re half the man your father is, we’re gonna be very pleased.”

After Ward read aloud the Legislature’s proclamation honoring the Watson family, Tommy Watson Sr. said, “my family moved from Alabama in the 1960s. As a young boy I remember driving down to visit with my grandparents, stopping at gas stations down on the Southern Border and the distinction of bathrooms were ‘White Only,’ ‘Black Only,’ as a five-year-old kid.” 

Watson expressed gratitude that his parents moved to Monticello and that his kids never had to grow up in such a hostile environment. After graciously accepting the honorary proclamation, Watson added: “my wife also served as a trooper here in Sullivan County.”

Before closing out the Juneteenth celebration with a joyful rendition of their classic 1964 hit, “Look in My Eyes,” Renee Minus White recalled touring the segregated south in the early days of the Chantels: “I was 13 when this all started and we traveled through the South, where we had to sing our songs to a white audience on one side and a black audience on the other.” 

Renee and her daughter Naomi gently swayed as they delivered their soothing vocals to the great delight of the audience, which gave them a heartfelt standing ovation.