Washington, DC and Des Moines, Iowa — Both President Barack Obama and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad have called for flags to fly at half staff for the next several days.
The President and Governor have ordered the half-staff as a mark of respect for Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the United States, who died on a hunting trip on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016.
Governor Branstad says that he and his wife Chris extend their deepest condolences to the family of Justice Scalia. Branstad says Scalia was a brilliant constitutional scholar that adhered to the original intent that the founding fathers had for our U.S. Constitution. He says he appreciates Scalia’s 30 year service to our nation’s highest court.
The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state until Scalia’s interment which has not yet been scheduled. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
