President Obama Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff for Senator Daniel Inouye

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Last night the flags at the US Capitol were flying at half-staff to mourn and honor Us Senator Daniel Inouye, who passed away on Monday night.

Flag at half-staff against the majestic dome of the US Capitol on Tuesday night

President Obama issued a proclamation on Tuesday, which ordered to flags to be flown at half-staff.

Senator Inouye served on the US Committee on Indian Affairs for many years and was considered a champion of Native causes in the Senate for decades. He served at various intervals as the chairman of the Committee. At the time of his death, he was scheduled to serve on the Committee during the 113th Congress.

Here is a copy of President Obama's Proclamation:

DEATH OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE,
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
–   –   –   –   –   –   –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, President pro tempore of the Senate, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and consistent with President Nixon's Proclamation 3948, 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 until sunset on the day of his interment. I further direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

posted December 19, 2012 7:10 am est