Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset, on Friday, June 3, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey and former Minnesota Congressman Joseph Edward Karth.

The Governor will attend the memorial service for Chief Warrant Officer Lourey in Askov on Friday.

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation for Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey:

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey was born to Becky (Savage) and Eugene D. Lourey on July 28, 1964, in Laurel, Maryland; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey graduated from Askov High School in 1982; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey was committed to serving his country as an Army Aviator and did so honorably for over twenty-one years.  He was assigned to C Troop, 1st 17th Cavalry in the 82nd Airborne and was a decorated Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey was an accomplished marathon runner (his best time was 3 hours, 19 minutes), and he flew helicopters in Bosnia, Egypt and Kuwait before being deployed to Iraq for his first combat tour of duty in August 2003; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey died a hero in Baqouba, Iraq, on Thursday, May 26, 2005, while protecting his country and fighting for freedom.  He was serving his second combat tour of duty supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey was preceded in death by his brothers, Jay and Fernando; his grandparents, Forrest Lourey; and Everett and Alice Savage; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey is survived by his beloved wife, Captain Lisa Sue Lourey; mother, State Senator Becky; father, Eugene; siblings, Tim and his wife Lori Trifilette; Tony and his wife Marlana Benzie-Lourey; Leah Gerard and her husband Ken; Kristin Verville and her husband Scott; Kim Bohnsack and her husband Dan; Ben; Heidi; Maria Lourey-Bowen and her husband Joe; Nick; and many other family and friends; and

Whereas:          Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey will be lovingly remembered for his wit, his indomitable spirit, and his selfless courage, and he will serve as an inspiration to all who were blessed to know him; and

Whereas:          The memorial service for Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey will be held Friday, June 3, 2005, at East Central High School in Askov, Minnesota; the interment will take place with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; and

Whereas:          The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey for his dedicated service to the people of this country and wants the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset, on Friday, June 3, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey.

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation for former Minnesota Congressman Joseph Edward Karth:

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth was born August 26, 1922, in New Brighton, Minnesota; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth attended the University of Nebraska School of Engineering and interrupted his education to serve in the United States Army during World War II, with service in the European Theater of Operations; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth was employed by the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, was an international representative of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW-AFL-CIO) from 1947-1958, and later established a consulting firm; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1950 to 1958; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth was elected to the Eighty-sixth Congress and to the eight succeeding Congresses from January 3, 1959, through January 3, 1977; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth passed away at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday, May 29, 2005; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth is survived by his sons Brian and Kevin, a sister, and four grandchildren; and

Whereas:          Joseph Edward Karth embodied the spirit of Minnesota, earning a place in the hearts of the people and in the history of Minnesota.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset, on Friday, June 3, 2005, in honor and remembrance of former Minnesota Congressman Joseph Edward Karth.