Lansing, MI - On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in accordance with a presidential proclamation, Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered on Saturday November 25, 2023 until further notice to honor and remember former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
“First Lady Rosalynn Carter was a strong American woman who set a powerful example for us all to follow,” said Governor Whitmer. “From her efforts as a pioneering advocate for mental health to the hard work she did building houses alongside her husband with Habitat for Humanity, Mrs. Carter dedicated her long life to making a real difference in other people’s lives. She and President Carter shared a 77-year marriage, an inspiring model for love and effective partnership. My thoughts—and those of the people of Michigan—are with President Carter, their four children, and their entire family.”
Rosalynn Carter, who was 96, died Sunday at her home in Plains, Georgia. Carter worked extensively toward mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president’s spouse. She also devoted her time to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, to help families and professional caregivers living with disabilities and illnesses.
As a mark of respect for the memory of First Lady Rosalynn 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 remain lowered until further notice. Our office will issue a notification when a date is set for flags to be returned to full staff.