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President Donald Trump orders flags at half-staff to honor John Dingell

Posted at 2:37 PM, Feb 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-08 16:20:28-05

(WXYZ) — President Donald Trump ordered the flags at the White House to be lowered to half-staff in memory of Congressman John Dingell, who passed away Thursday.

The flag will remain at half-staff until sundown Saturday, Feb. 9.

Trump issued the following proclamation:

As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of former Representative John David Dingell, Jr., of Michigan -- the longest-serving Member of Congress in our Nation's history -- I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, February 9, 2019. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

Dingell represented the people of Michigan for nearly 59 years and was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1955 and served through the end of his term in 2015.

In September, John suffered a heart attack but was in good spirits and treated at Henry Ford Hospital. It was revealed earlier this week that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and decided not to treat it.