Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty has ordered that all U.S. flags 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 Sunday, October 4, 2009, in honor of firefighters who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

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

WHEREAS: On October 16, 2001, President Bush approved legislation requiring that the United States flag be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters; and

WHEREAS: Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service; and

WHEREAS: Minnesota Senate File 237 was unanimously passed by the 2009 Legislature and signed into law on May 15, 2009, designating the first Sunday in October as Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day; and

WHEREAS: The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, the Minnesota State Fire Department Association, and the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters support this act of recognition and believe it honors their goal of bringing every firefighter home safely at the end of every shift; and

WHEREAS: On average, 100 United States firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty each year; and

WHEREAS: Since 1881, 187 Minnesota firefighters have died in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS: Every day, the volunteer, paid-on-call, and career firefighters in nearly 800 Minnesota fire departments protect the lives and property of our citizens; and

WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka of the Pine City Fire Department, who made the ultimate sacrifice on April 26, 2008, will be among the 122 firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on October 4, 2009.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of the State of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim that Sunday, October 4, 2009, shall be observed as: MINNESOTA FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY in the State of Minnesota and do hereby order all U.S. flags 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 Sunday, October 4, 2009, in honor of firefighters who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Further, I encourage all Minnesotans to display the flag at half-staff at their homes and businesses.