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Texas Flags Halved
In defiance, Texas flags flew at full-mast as Gov. Abbott mourned.
Published August 1, 2024 at 9:06am by Brandi D. Addison
Texas Flags Fly Half-Staff for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Houston, TX — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered flags across the state to fly at half-staff on Thursday to commemorate the memorial service of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who served the state's 18th Congressional District and chaired the Congressional Black Caucus.
Jackson Lee, 74, passed away on July 19, just weeks after announcing her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. She served in Congress for nearly 30 years and was the co-dean of the Texas delegation, along with Rep. Lloyd Doggett. Jackson Lee also recently ran for Mayor of Houston before winning her 15th term in the House.
According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs [https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf], flags are flown at half-staff on specific holidays and events, including Memorial Day (until noon), Peace Officers Memorial Day, Patriot Day, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and National Firefighters Memorial Day. The website also outlines protocols for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die, with designated periods for different levels of office.
Read more: Texas flags are flying at half-staff on Thursday. Here's why