GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF MINNESOTA STATE REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HORTMAN AND HER HUSBAND MARK HORTMAN
Flags to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, June 16.
Governor Hochul today directed that flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, who passed away during the politically targeted shootings in Minnesota on June 14. Flags will be at half-staff Monday, June 16.
“I join the State of Minnesota, family and loved ones in mourning the horrific loss of Representative Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman, and I am directing flags to be flown at half-staff in New York to honor Mr. and Ms. Hortman,” Governor Hochul said. “We should be settling our political differences in civil means — like at the ballot box — because violence is never the answer.”
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GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF ON THE DAY OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL’S FUNERAL
Governor Kathy Hochul is directing flags to be flown at half-staff at state facilities, from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 13, 2025, on the day of former Congressman Charles Rangel’s funeral.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF STAFF IN HONOR OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR ROBERT BORNT
Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, 2025
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance Supervisor Robert Bornt, who passed away after suffering catastrophic injuries related to a work zone intrusion in Pittstown last week. Flags will be at half-staff Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, 2025.
“I join the family, friends and colleagues of Robert Bornt in mourning his tragic passing,” Governor Hochul said. “A dedicated highway maintenance supervisor, Hoosick Falls Fire Chief, and a member of the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Robert was an extraordinary public servant. I am directing flags to be flown at half staff through Saturday, June 7 to honor Robert’s life and his selfless commitment to his community.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The entire NYSDOT family is grieving over the death of Highway Maintenance Supervisor Robert Bornt, who spent his entire life in the service of others, protecting the traveling public through his work at the NYS Department of Transportation and making his community a better place through his dedicated work at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department. My thanks to Governor Hochul for honoring Robert’s life and legacy and his family, in such a touching and meaningful way.”
Governor Kathy Hochul is urging all motorists to drive carefully, stay alert, slow down in work zones and follow New York State’s Move Over Law to protect roadside workers and other drivers.
In 2024, there were 322 intrusions in New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) work zones. These intrusions resulted in the deaths of two drivers who entered the work zones and 138 additional injuries to highway workers and the traveling public. A total of 59 members of the NYSDOT family have died on the job across New York State, dating as far back as 1939. Distracted driving, following too closely, an unsafe lane change or disregarding traffic warning signs caused the majority of the crashes.
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GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF RETIRED FIRST SERGEANT MICHAEL E. SNELL
Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Thursday, May 29
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of New York State Police retired First Sergeant Michael E. Snell, who passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the age of 56. First Sergeant Snell’s passing is attributed to an illness stemming from his assignment in and around the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
“First Sergeant Snell honorably served the people of New York State for 23 years, making the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow New Yorkers when it mattered the most,” Governor Hochul said. “On behalf of New York State, I extend my deepest gratitude for First Sergeant Snell’s contribution to the protection of our state, and send my heartfelt condolences to his family.”
First Sergeant Snell retired from the New York State Police on May 24, 2023, after more than two decades of service. He is survived by his wife, Tammy Snell, and their four children: Wyatt, Ashton, Harrison and Lawson.
Flags to half-staff: Sunrise, Thursday, May 29
Flag return to top of staff: Sunset, Thursday, May 29
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF TO HONOR FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL
Governor Kathy Hochul is directing flags to be flown at half-staff at state facilities from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in honor of former Congressman Charles Rangel who died on May 26, 2025.
HALF-STAFF FLAG NOTIFICATION
Effective: Sunrise, Monday, May 26, 2025
Return to Full Staff: Noon, Monday, May 26, 2025
Please be advised that on Monday, May 26, 2025, flags are to be flown at half-staff sunrise until noon, and at top of staff for the rest of the day in observance of Memorial Day.
HALF-STAFF FLAG NOTIFICATION
Effective: Sunrise, Thursday, May 15, 2025
Return to Full Staff: Sunset, Thursday, May 15, 2025
Please be advised that flags should be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, May 15, 2025 for Peace Officers Memorial Day.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF STAFF IN HONOR OF RETIRED INVESTIGATOR THOMAS K. HERRICK
Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Tuesday, April 29, through sunset on Wednesday, April 30
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of New York State Police retired investigator Thomas K. Herrick.
“Investigator Herrick served New York State with distinction – making the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow New Yorkers in our greatest time of need,” Governor Hochul said. “We are so grateful to Investigator Herrick for his contributions to keeping New York safe, and I send my deepest condolences to his family in their time of great sorrow.”
On April 12, 2025, Investigator Herrick passed away from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around the world trade center site following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. He had retired from the New York State Police after 26 years of dedicated service on August 19, 2009.
Investigator Herrick is survived by his wife and three children.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS STATE FLAGS TO BE LOWERED IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
Update: Flags should be returned to full staff at sunset on Saturday, April 26.
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered at half staff to honor the life and legacy of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away today at the age of 88.
“I join everyone around the world in mourning the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis, as his leadership transcended religious boundaries,” Governor Hochul said. “He embodied the values Christ taught us every day: helping the less fortunate, calling for peace, and ensuring every person is treated as a child of God. Pope Francis led with compassion, humility and inclusivity, emphasizing that God does not disown any of his children, and reminded us of our collective responsibility to protect this beautiful planet, our shared home. We should all strive to carry on his legacy.”
Last year, Governor Hochul visited the Vatican to deliver remarks at a Pontifical Summit to discuss climate change where Pope Francis delivered an address calling on the world to take care of the most vulnerable in our society.
Flags will be lowered from Monday, April 21 through the day of his funeral service*.
*The OGS Flag Mailbox Administrator will email an update on when to return flags to full staff.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS STATE FLAGS TO BE LOWERED IN MEMORY OF MORE THAN 200 LIVES LOST AT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC NIGHTCLUB
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered at half-staff to honor the lives of more than 200 individuals who were killed in the tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Multiple victims have been identified as New Yorkers.
“Our hearts break for our beloved neighbors in the Dominican Republic who are grieving a massive loss,” Governor Hochul said. “This week I have spoken to key leaders, including the Dominican Consul General in New York and Congressman Adriano Espaillat, to express our condolences and discuss ways to partner in the future. With more than 1 million people of Dominican descent in the Empire State, the ties between New York and the Dominican Republic remain unshakeable.”
New York has the largest Dominican population of any U.S. State. In recent years, Governor Hochul has expressed her support for the Dominican community and strengthened cultural and economic collaboration between New York State and the Dominican Republic. The Governor has highlighted $1.5 million in State funding for the Dominican Studies Institute at City College and established $12.5 million to create a Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture in northern Manhattan, because she believes New York would not be the community that it is without Dominican Americans.
Flags will be lowered from Sunrise on Saturday, April 12, to Sunset on Sunday, April 13.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL IS DIRECTING FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF ON STATE BUILDINGS ON THURSDAY, APRIL 10, THE DAY OF FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN NITA LOWEY’S MEMORIAL SERVICE
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF TO HONOR FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN NITA LOWEY
Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Through March 17
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of former Congresswoman Nita Lowey beginning immediately and through sunset on March 17, 2025.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, former Representative Nita Lowey,” Governor Hochul said. “As a freshman member of Congress, Nita helped show me ropes as I was learning how to navigate Washington. She was a tireless fighter for the State of New York and never stopped working to deliver for the people of Westchester and Rockland.”
Former Congresswoman Lowey served for 32 years in the House of Representatives, representing parts of the Hudson Valley. She died on March 15 in Harrison, New York, and is survived by her husband of 64 years, Stephen Lowey; her children Dana, Jackie and Douglas; and eight grandchildren.
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GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS STATE FLAGS TO BE LOWERED ON THE DAY MEMORIAL SERVICES ARE BEING HELD FOR DR. HAZEL N. DUKES
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, on the day memorial services are being held for Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, a longtime New York civil rights leader who died on March 1 at the age of 92.
Hazel Dukes was a civil rights activist and former president of the New York State NAACP. She fought for racial justice, education reform, and voting rights, becoming a prominent advocate for the African American community.
Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State Facilities until sunset Monday, March 3rd
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered at half-staff to honor the life of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, the longtime New York civil rights leader who died at the age of 92.
"The leadership, courage and bravery of Hazel Dukes transformed New York for the better,” Governor Hochul said. “Her unwavering commitment to the fight for civil rights transformed lives and uplifted our communities. New York is forever indebted to her for the courage, strength, and love she brought to every battle.”
Hazel Dukes was a civil rights activist and former president of the New York State NAACP. She fought for racial justice, education reform, and voting rights, becoming a prominent advocate for the African American community.
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