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Presidential Proclamation and Executive Order - Announcing the Death of Ronald Reagan
The White House ^ | June 6, 2004 | George W. Bush, President of the United States of America

Posted on 06/06/2004 5:53:21 PM PDT by HAL9000

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:

It is my sad duty to announce officially the death of Ronald Reagan, the fortieth President of the United States, on June 5, 2004.

We are blessed to live in a Nation, and a world, that have been shaped by the will, the leadership, and the vision of Ronald Reagan.

With an unshakable faith in the values of our country and the character of our people, Ronald Reagan renewed America's confidence and restored our Nation. His optimism, strength, and humility epitomized the American spirit. He always told us that for America the best was yet to come.

Ronald Reagan believed that God takes the side of justice and that America has a special calling to oppose tyranny and defend freedom. Through his courage and determination, he enhanced America's security and advanced the spread of peace, liberty, and democracy to millions of people who had lived in darkness and oppression. As America's President, Ronald Reagan helped change the world.

President Reagan has left us, but he has left us stronger and better. We take comfort in the knowledge that he has left us for a better place, the shining city that awaits him.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Ronald Reagan, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also direct that for the same length of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrange-ments for the display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies, Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and stations.

I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.

I do further appoint Friday, June 11, 2004, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States. I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President Reagan. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: eo; executiveorder; proclamation; reagan; ronaldreagan

Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on June 11, 2004

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. All executive departments, independent establishments, and other governmental agencies shall be closed on June 11, 2004, as a mark of respect for Ronald Reagan, the fortieth President of the United States. That day shall be considered as falling within the scope of Executive Order 11582 of February 11, 1971, and of 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) and other similar statutes insofar as they relate to the pay and leave of employees of the United States.

Sec. 2. The first sentence of section 1 of this order shall not apply to those offices and installations, or parts thereof, in the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, or other departments, independent establishments, and governmental agencies that the heads thereof determine should remain open for reasons of national security or defense or other essential public business.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

June 6, 2004.

# # #


1 posted on 06/06/2004 5:53:22 PM PDT by HAL9000
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To: HAL9000
We are blessed to live in a Nation, and a world, that have been shaped by the will, the leadership, and the vision of Ronald Reagan.

Words no one will ever knowingly utter with respect to one William Jefferson Clinton, Esq.

Go with G-d, President Reagan: Greatest President In U.S. History.

2 posted on 06/06/2004 5:57:02 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (I feel more and more like a revolted Charlton Heston, witnessing ape society for the very first time)
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To: HAL9000

Thank you, Mr. President, for those words...spoken of a great American president BY a great American President.


3 posted on 06/06/2004 5:57:35 PM PDT by Christian4Bush (I approve this message: character and integrity matter. Bush/Cheney for '04.)
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To: HAL9000

Our family flies 3x5 foot flag every day on a short pole attached to our home. How do we fly the flag in a way to show respect for the loss of President Reagan?


4 posted on 06/06/2004 5:59:07 PM PDT by Don'tMessWithTexas
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To: HAL9000

Outstanding call GW.


5 posted on 06/06/2004 6:03:48 PM PDT by VaBthang4 ("He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps")
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas

flag on staff6. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.


6 posted on 06/06/2004 6:11:14 PM PDT by Lokibob (All typos and spelling errors are mine and copyrighted!!!!)
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To: Lokibob

So, we would simply lower and reattach the flag on the staff even though we do not have a lanyard or rope to raise and lower the flag?


7 posted on 06/06/2004 6:15:52 PM PDT by Don'tMessWithTexas
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

that would be X esq. for the disbared pos


8 posted on 06/06/2004 6:33:49 PM PDT by al baby (Hope I don't get into trouble for this)
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas

That is the way I read it. No matter what you do, please display the flag. Nobody will condemn you (I hope).

Once, when asked what he would do if somebody was displaying the flag wrong, a vet said " I would feel good that he was flying the flag".


9 posted on 06/06/2004 6:35:40 PM PDT by Lokibob (All typos and spelling errors are mine and copyrighted!!!!)
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To: Lokibob

Thanks. We will try to do a fitting tribute.


10 posted on 06/06/2004 6:37:38 PM PDT by Don'tMessWithTexas
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

I was in need of a new tagline.


11 posted on 06/06/2004 6:41:13 PM PDT by EllaMinnow ("President Reagan has left us, but he has left us stronger and better." President George W. Bush)
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To: redlipstick

... and I heartily approve! :)


12 posted on 06/06/2004 6:42:40 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (I feel more and more like a revolted Charlton Heston, witnessing ape society for the very first time)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

:)


13 posted on 06/06/2004 6:43:50 PM PDT by EllaMinnow ("President Reagan has left us, but he has left us stronger and better." President George W. Bush)
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas

I have the same problem but I read that you tie black ribbon to the top of the staff and just let it hang down. That's what I'm doing.


14 posted on 06/06/2004 6:56:47 PM PDT by Newfy
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas
If the flags mount allows, display the flag so that the pole is parallel to the ground. This acts as a sign of respect (it is meant to reflect the military honors of saluting with the unit colors) and is an appropriate substitute to lowering the flag when the flag is displayed fixed on a pole and not on lanyards.

If you are unable to lower the flag to be parallel with the ground, display a symbol of mourning to the lower left of the flag (lower right when viewed). A black ribbon is an acceptable sign of mourning.

I wish I had a link to show you this, but I did read it in a military manual a few years ago.

Also, when Nixon died, I remember seeing a lot of the small flags drawn in to the pole. That is, the stripes were drawn in and temporarily fixed to the pole. I don't know if this is proper, but I saw it a lot.
15 posted on 06/06/2004 6:57:50 PM PDT by raynearhood ("America is too great for small dreams." - Ronald Reagan, speech to Congress. January 1, 1984.)
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas
I think technically, by the book, a flag that can't be flown at half-staff should not be displayed. However, after 9/11, the American Legion and others suggested the following for fixed mounted flags. It has historical basis, but is not in the official flag code- which is vague in reference to fixed flags.

For flags that can not be displayed at half-staff (such as a house or porch set) attach a black streamer to the spearhead (top) of the pole allowing the streamer to fall naturally.

A flag that is mounted on a wall or in a window also can not be displayed at half-staff. A black bow-knot either with or without streamers is placed at the fastening points.

16 posted on 06/06/2004 6:59:52 PM PDT by PeaceBeWithYou (De Oppresso Liber!)
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To: HAL9000

Please remember to raise your flag to it's normal position prior to lowering and securing it at half staff.


17 posted on 06/06/2004 7:56:04 PM PDT by Feckless
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