Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered throughout the state to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday. The governor’s office has released the following:
Today, in accordance with a presidential proclamation, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state of Michigan to be lowered immediately on Monday, December 30, 2024 through Monday, January 27, 2025 to honor and remember former President Jimmy Carter who passed away yesterday.
“President Carter was a good man and exemplary American who set a powerful example for all of us over the course of his long life.
“He rose from peanut farmer to president, serving in the U.S. Navy, the state legislature, and as Governor of Georgia along the way. In the White House, President Carter brokered peace, established the Departments of Energy and Education, advocated for solar energy, and doubled the amount of land for national parks and wildlife refuges.
“After serving as the most powerful person on the planet, he dedicated decades of his life to helping those around the world who had the least. He helped build thousands of homes with Habitat for Humanity, and established the Carter Center, focused on health and human rights. And he made time to preach from his community pulpit on Sundays.
“President Carter lived an impressive life, driven by fundamental core values that so many of us share: faith, patriotism, and love. My thoughts are with his family.”
As a mark of respect for the memory of former President Jimmy Carter, the state of Michigan stands in solidarity by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.