Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Governor Culver Orders Flags Lowered
State and U.S. flags to flown at half-staff to honor Virginia Tech shooting victims
(DES MOINES) Today, Governor Chet Culver has signed a proclamation ordering Iowa State and United States flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of yesterday’s shootings at Virginia Tech. The flags shall be lowered through Sunday, April 22nd.
This proclamation is in addition to today’s proclamation by President Bush ordering that all United States flags shall be lowered through Sunday, April 22nd. The President’s order applies to federal property and embassies. Governor Culver’s order applies to state-owned property.
Text of the proclamation is below:
WHEREAS, Iowans grieve for those killed and wounded at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, along with their families and friends; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has ordered that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions, as well as at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations until sunset, Sunday, April 22, 2007; and
WHEREAS, under Section 1B.3 of Chapter 1B of the Code of Iowa, it is the duty of the custodians of public buildings in the State of Iowa to raise the flags of the United States of America and of the State of Iowa;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Chester J. Culver, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power vested in me under the laws of the United States of America and under the laws and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence, do hereby Order that:
- The flag of the United States of America shall be flown at half-staff throughout the State of Iowa on property under the jurisdiction of the State, including the state Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities until sunset, Sunday, April 22, 2007.
- The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
- The flag of the State of Iowa, where it is flown, shall in all cases be subservient to and placed below the flag of the United States of America.
- Starting immediately, and until sunset, Sunday, April 22, 2007, the flag of the State of Iowa shall be flown at half-staff throughout the State of Iowa on property under the jurisdiction of the State, including the state Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities under any of the conditions and circumstances described herein.