TRENTON – In honor of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday, September 11, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 115

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, unprecedented terrorist attacks were launched on New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania; and

 WHEREAS, more than one quarter of the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks were New Jerseyans, with nearly 700 of our residents killed in the attacks, and numerous others injured; and

WHEREAS, many New Jerseyans, including thousands of police, fire, military, emergency, and construction personnel, responded to this tragedy; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of New Jersey families have been drastically affected by these events, through the loss of a parent, spouse, child, or other loved one; and

WHEREAS, this tragic event will be remembered by all New Jerseyans, both privately as well as in public remembrances and memorial ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this day be observed with full solemnity, in tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who perished in the attacks;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on September 11, 2008, in recognition and mourning of all of those lost in the September 11th attacks and, particularly, those lost from our home State.

 This Order shall take effect immediately.

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