As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of Senator Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of the Senate, President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation ordering the flying of flags at half-staff on the day of her interment, Thursday, April 29, 2010. The flag is to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds until sunset on the day of his interment, Tuesday, July 6.  The Proclamation further states that on July 4, Independence Day the flag shall be raised to full-staff.

Robert Carlyle Bryd, 92, was a United States Senator from West Virginia.  A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a Senator from 1959 to 2010 and was the longest-serving senator and the longest-serving member in the history of the United States Congress.

According to the National Flag Foundation, federal law states "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with the law."

As a public building, the Fontana Unified School District's open schools and district offices will display the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on Saturday, July 3, 2010; on Sunday, July 4, 2010, flags will be at full-staff; and on Monday, July 5, through Tuesday, July 6, flags at half-staff until sunset.  Flag protocol indicates that each day the flag be raised to its peak then respectfully lowered to half-staff. At the end of the day, the flag is again to be hoisted to its peak before being lowered.

Online Resources:

• Presidential Proclamation
• Official Website for U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd
  

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