The President and Governor Walz issue proclamations Honoring the Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
Our Nation mourns for every life lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and we share in the suffering of all those who endured pain and illness from the outbreak. Through our grief, America stands steadfast and united against the invisible enemy. May God be with the victims of this pandemic and bring aid and comfort to their families and friends. As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, 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 until sunset, May 24, 2020. 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 twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred forty-fourth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Governor Walz
[ST. PAUL, MN] – In accordance with a proclamation issued by the President, Governor Tim Walz today directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff, effective immediately, until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.
Individuals, businesses, and other organizations also are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesotans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.
Governor Walz proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS: The President of the United States of America has lowered United States flags at all public buildings, grounds, and military posts of the Federal Government until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS: In concurrence with the President’s order and in remembrance of the lives lost due to COVID-19 it has been ordered that the American and Minnesota flags at state buildings and facilities also be flown at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota is weathering the “long winter” known as COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: First responders, state employees, and essential workers are on the frontlines working tirelessly and fearlessly to protect our communities and neighbors; and
WHEREAS: On March 21, 2020, we lost our first Minnesotan to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: As of May 21, 2020, 809 of our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, have passed due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: Deaths due to COVID-19 are disproportionally affecting Indigenous communities, people of color, the homeless, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions and disabilities; and
WHEREAS: We join states across the nation to honor the lives lost due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: Minnesotans come together as one community in these challenging moments to mourn and support each other.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020, to remember, mourn, and honor the lives lost due to COVID-19.