Honoring victims of the Tragedy in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011

Colleagues and Friends:


Honoring the victims of the Arizona shootings, and as per the proclamations of President Obama and of Governor McDonnell, I ask that all of you take a moment of silence at 11 a.m. today, January 10.

This is an opportunity for us to talk---whether in our classrooms or in our conversations---about democracy and civil discourse versus the alternative of violent imposition of opinion.

Please keep the victims, their families and friends, and all affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

David Sam
President, Germanna Community College

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The White House
January 9, 2011

“Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.”

President Barack Obama

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Governor’s flag order for the Commonwealth of Virginia

Pursuant with President Barack Obama’s Presidential Proclamation to lower the United States flag honoring the victims on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, I do hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and of the Commonwealth of Virginia are to be flown at half-staff on all local, state, and federal buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in respect and memory of those victims. I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Monday, January 10, 2011, and remain at half-staff until sunset each day until sunset Friday, January 14, 2011. A copy of President Obama’s proclamation is copied below for your reference.

Ordered this the 9th day of January, 2011

Sincerely,
Robert F. McDonnell


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The White House
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 09, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Tucson, Arizona

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order 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, January 14, 2011. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/09/presidential-proclamation-honoring-victims-tragedy-tucson-arizona