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HALF-STAFF ALERTS
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: OCTOBER 18 - 22 - In Honor Of General Colin Powell
Proclamation on the Death of General Colin Powell
October 18, 2021
General Colin Powell was a patriot of unmatched honor and dignity. The son of immigrants, born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, a graduate of the City College of New York, he rose to the highest ranks of the United States military and to advise four Presidents. He believed in the promise of America because he lived it. And he devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others. He embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. He repeatedly broke racial barriers, blazing a trail for others to follow, and was committed throughout his life to investing in the next generation of leadership. Colin Powell was a good man who I was proud to call my friend, and he will be remembered in history as one of our great Americans.
As a mark of respect for General Powell and his life of service to our Nation, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, 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 October 22, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
ARIZONA: October 19, 2021 - Interment of Sheriff's Deputy Juan M Ruiz
PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset tomorrow, October 19, 2021, for the interment of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan M. Ruiz, who died in the line of duty on October 9th.
Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
Regards,
Arizona Department of Administration.
ALASKA: October 18, 2021 - In honor of former Senate President Clem Tillion
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and First Lady Rose Dunleavy extend their deepest sympathies to the loved ones and friends of former Senate President Clem Tillion who passed away this week.
“The First Lady and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of former Senate President Clem Tillion,” said Governor Dunleavy. “He embodied the Alaskan spirit through his tireless work as a state legislator, as a commercial fisherman and as a family man. Clem paved the way for the Permanent Fund Dividend and created a pivotal future for Alaska. I enjoyed my many conversations with Clem as we worked through Alaska’s issues together. Our state is great because of men like Clem and he will be missed by many.”
Tillion was well-known for being one of the founders of the PFD in Alaska. He also served in World War II before buying his homestead in Halibut Cove, near Homer, and there his family fostered a developing community. Tillion was a long-time commercial fisherman, nine-term Alaska state legislator and past chairman of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. His wife, Diana, was a recognized Alaska artist who painted landscapes using octopus ink. They were married for 58 years before she passed away in 2010. Together, they raised four children, Will, Marian, Martha and Vince. Governor Dunleavy has ordered that Alaska state flags and the United States flags fly at half-staff sunrise to sunset on Monday, October 18, 2021 in honor of former Senate President Clem Tillion.
COLORADO: October 18, 2021 - In Honor of Natalie Meyer
Gov. Jared Polis has ordered all flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings and properties, from sunrise today and through sunset to honor the life of Natalie Meyer, former Colorado Secretary of State. Meyer served as Secretary of State from 1983 until 1995. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, October 18 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Colorado.
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: OCTOBER 16, 2021 - PEACE OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE
A PROCLAMATION ON THE NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS’ MEMORIAL SERVICE
In honor of the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service being held in Washington, D.C., to remember and pay respect to law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and their families, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order 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 on Saturday, October 16, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
WEST VIRGINIA: October 16, 2021 - In Honor of Senator Orphy Klempa
Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation, ordering that all United States and West Virginia flags at the Capitol Complex in Charleston and all State-owned facilities in Ohio County be displayed at half-staff from dawn to dusk on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of former West Virginia Senator Orphy Klempa. Klempa was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2006. He served two terms in the House before being elected to the West Virginia Senate in 2010. Klempa served in the Senate until 2012. Saturday, Oct. 16, marks the day of services celebrating Klempa’s life.
ARIZONA: October 12, 2021 - In Honor of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan M. Ruiz
PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset today, October 12, 2021, to honor Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan M. Ruiz, who was attacked by a felony suspect last week. Deputy Ruiz was injured in an attack while attempting to process a suspect for a felony warrant. The suspect assaulted Deputy Ruiz and left him unconscious and fled the scene. After a manhunt the suspect was apprehended by authorities after being shot in another altercation. Deputy Ruiz was transported to the hospital and put on life support, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. “Arizona is heartbroken over the loss of Deputy Juan M. Ruiz,” said Governor Ducey. “He served our state honorably for years, and his dedication to protecting others continues with the donation of his organs. He will always be remembered for his selfless sacrifice — and my deepest prayers are with Deputy Ruiz’s family and loved ones, as well as the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the entire law enforcement community. I’ve ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of his life and service.” Flags will also be lowered on Wednesday, October 13, in honor of La Paz County Sgt. Michael Rudd, who was hit by a vehicle after a pursuit yesterday. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute. Regards, Arizona Department of Administration
ARIZONA: OCTOBER 6, 2021 - In Honor of Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Group Supervisor Michael G. Garbo
PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey has ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset tomorrow, October 6, 2021, to honor Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Group Supervisor Michael G. Garbo, who was killed in the line of duty yesterday. Governor Ducey released the following statement:
“My thoughts and prayers are with Group Supervisor Michael Garbo’s family, friends and colleagues. The senseless act of violence that took place in Tucson yesterday is a tragedy for our state. “Every day, law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line to keep Arizona and our nation safe. Group Supervisor Garbo died serving others in that heroic duty. He dedicated his career to protecting our communities from the trafficking of illegal drugs and the crime that accompanies them. He will be remembered for his exceptional service and the deep impact he had on all those who worked with him.
“All of Arizona’s condolences are with his loved ones as well as the law enforcement community. Our prayers are also with the other officers who were injured in this attack. In honor of Group Supervisor Garbo’s life and service, I have ordered flags be lowered to half-staff.” Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
Regards,
Arizona Department of Administration
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: OCTOBER 3, 2021 IN HONOR OF FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY
A PROCLAMATION ON FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, 2021
During Fire Prevention Week, we honor our brave firefighters and first responders who risk their lives to protect us every day and reaffirm the importance of fire safety and preparedness. This week, I call on all Americans to educate themselves about fire prevention and safety and recommit to taking the necessary steps to prevent fires. Whether you are in your own home or camping in one of America’s majestic National Parks, taking the proper precautions and safety measures can help prevent fires and save your life and the lives of your family and others while protecting our natural wonders.
Already this year, more than 44,000 wildfires have burned nearly 5.3 million acres of our land — an area roughly the size of the State of New Jersey. These fires have destroyed homes and priceless memories. They have forced families into shelters and filled the air with smoke for hundreds of miles. Precious lives have been lost. The fires have ground local economies to a halt, swallowed up family farms, and disrupted supply chains that fuel jobs, businesses, and communities all across the country.
These fires represent a code red for our Nation — and we know that, unless we take bold action to address climate change, they will only continue to gain in frequency and ferocity. Scientists have warned us for years that extreme weather will only get more extreme, and today we are living it in real time. Extreme weather, including wildfires, cost America $99 billion last year; unfortunately, we are poised to break that record this year. That is why my Administration is committed to taking on the threat of climate change and investing in America’s resilience. We have proposed investing billions of dollars to strengthen our wildfire preparedness, resilience, and response. These investments will not just save lives and homes — they will also save industries and create new jobs. When I think about climate change, I always think about the millions of good-paying, union jobs we can create — but we also need to think about all of the jobs and industries we stand to lose if we fail to act boldly enough. The evidence is overwhelming that every dollar we invest in our resilience saves us six dollars down the road, when the next fire does not spread as widely and homes and businesses are spared.
Our response to this threat starts with our brave firefighters, who put their lives on the line every day. To better support the wildland firefighters who serve our Nation so courageously, my Administration is committed to making sure that we have enough firefighters on call who are trained, equipped, and ready to respond. That is why I took action this summer to ensure that all of our Federal firefighters will earn a minimum of $15 an hour. My Administration has increased wildland firefighter pay through bonuses and retention pay, extended seasonal firefighter employment to ensure robust response throughout the fire season, deployed new fire detection and air monitoring technologies, invoked the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of equipment, and brought additional aircraft and personnel to bear from both the Department of Defense and our partner nations. During Fire Prevention Week, I call on all Americans to educate themselves about fire safety, take the appropriate precautions when encountering fires, and honor our courageous firefighters, volunteers, and first responders. I also encourage everyone to install and maintain smoke alarms in their homes — critical elements of fire safety that have helped significantly decrease United States home fire death rates over the past 40 years. By testing alarms every month and replacing them every 10 years, we can be better prepared to respond quickly to fires and prevent tragic loss of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 3 through October 9, 2021, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 3, 2021, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at half-staff at all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
