Des Moines, Iowa and Washington, D.C. — Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff immediately to sunset on October 22, 2021 in honor and remembrance of Colin Powell.
Powell served as the first African-American United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. During the course of his career, Powell also served as National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Colin Powell was a tremendous public servant for our nation and was highly respected by his colleagues both in America and abroad,” said Gov. Reynolds. “He forged the way to become the highest rank in civilian government ever held by an African American when he was appointed Secretary of State and devoted his life and work to our country. He will be dearly missed but his legacy will live on for generations.”
President Joe Biden says in his statement that General Colin Powell was “a patriot of unmatched honor and dignity.” He says Powell was the son of immigrants, born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, and was a graduate of the City College of New York. Biden’s statement says Powell rose to the highest ranks of the United States military and to advise four Presidents. Biden’s statement continues, “He believed in the promise of America because he lived it. And he devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others. He embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. He repeatedly broke racial barriers, blazing a trail for others to follow, and was committed throughout his life to investing in the next generation of leadership. Colin Powell was a good man who I was proud to call my friend, and he will be remembered in history as one of our great Americans.”
Powell was being treated for multiple myeloma and died at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center of complications from COVID-19 on Monday at the age of 84.
Governor Reynolds’ order is issued in conjunction with Biden’s proclamation to lower all United States flags to half-staff for the same length of time.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.
