Governor Tim Pawlenty today joined President George W. Bush in issuing a proclamation as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. The Governor has ordered that the United States flag and the State of Minnesota flag be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and on all public buildings and grounds in Minnesota from Tuesday, April 17, 2007, until sunset, Sunday, April 22, 2007.

The following is the text of the Governor’s official proclamation:

Whereas: The State of Minnesota grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to senseless acts of violence perpetrated on April 16, 2007; and

Whereas: Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, friends and families of this terrible tragedy.

Now, Therefore, I, TIM PAWLENTY, as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, I join President George W. Bush and hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Minnesota, that the state flag of Minnesota shall be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and on all public buildings and grounds from Tuesday, April 17, 2007, until sunset, Sunday, April 22, 2007.