“as a mark of respect for the memory” of former first lady Rosalynn Carter, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation on Tuesday that ordered all flags flying in the United States to be lowered to half-staff starting on November 25. The proclamation was issued on Tuesday.
Rosalynn Carter passed away on November 19 at the age of 96, only a few days after her family revealed that she would be entering hospice care. She was best known as the unconventional wife of former President Jimmy Carter. In May, a diagnosis of dementia was made for her.
The former vice president, who is now 81 years old, said in a statement that flags would be flown at a height of 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.”
Additionally, the president gave orders for all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other abroad institutions to fly their flags at a half-staff until further notice.
The flag homage, which got under way early on Saturday morning, will keep going all the way up until the sun goes down on the day of Rosalynn’s funeral, which is on November 29.
When the country is in a state of mourning, the flag of the United States is lowered to half-staff, or to half-mast on ships. This may occur after the passing of a government official or member of the armed forces, in the aftermath of a fatal assault or other public disaster, or on days that are designated as national days of memory. Although its beginnings are unknown, this time-honored custom is recognized as an indication of concern and respect.
In 1942, Congress passed a federal legislation that legally provided the president the ability to order flags to be flown at half-staff or half-mast. This law also established standards for how long flags should be flown at half-staff or half-mast for specific events.
There is no rule that specifies how long a flag should fly in mourning after the passing of a former first lady. As a result, it is up to President Biden to decide what is a suitable amount of time to display the flag in honor of Rosalynn Carter. His decree follows the advice for the passing of a Supreme Court judge, cabinet secretary, governor, former vice president, or former House speaker the most strictly, which states that the flag should be lowered from the day of the loss until the day of the burial.
Although the mourning period was shortened because Vice President Biden waited until after the Thanksgiving week vacations to request the flags to be lowered for Rosalynn, she will still be remembered for a longer amount of time than deceased members of Congress, whose loss prompt a maximum of two days flying flags at half-staff. (According to the flag code, the United States flags will be commanded to be flown at half-staff for the whole of the month after the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who had been receiving hospice care for the last nine months and had just turned 99 years old.)
Because state and municipal flags are required to fly below the United States flag under all circumstances, the United States flag and any other flags flown by the government should be flown at half-staff from Saturday through Wednesday.
In his declaration that flags should be flown at half-staff, President Biden paid tribute to Rosalynn for the leadership she shown throughout her life and her unwavering dedication to the issues that were closest to her heart.
“Rosalynn Carter exemplified hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to doing all she could to address many of our society’s greatest needs,” said the president.
“She was a champion for equal rights and possibilities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for all; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities.”
Additionally, Biden mentioned the Carters’ undying love for one another during their whole 77 years of marriage. “Above all, the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism,” said the president.
In a message released after the passing of his wife, former President Jimmy Carter reminisced on how important it was for him to have Rosalynn at his side as a continuous supporter.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” according to him. When I was in need of sage advice and encouragement, she was there to provide both. As long as Rosalynn existed in this world, I was never in doubt that I had someone who loved and supported me.
It is planned that Rosalynn will be commemorated the following week in Georgia with a series of private and public activities, the culmination of which will be a funeral ceremony and burial at the Plains home of the Carter family.
