Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags in Wisconsin to fly at half-staff Monday in honor of former Wisconsin State Sen. George Petak, who died on Dec. 24 at the age of 75.
“Sen. Petak was a man of faith, courage, and principle. He truly had a servant’s heart, always leading with empathy and integrity to give back and do more for others,” Evers wrote in a Christmas Eve statement. “Kathy [Evers] and I join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of Sen. Petak and offer our sincerest sympathies to his wife, kids, loved ones, and the many whose lives he touched.”
Petak was elected to the Racine Unified School District Board of Education in 1983 and served in various positions, including president, until 1990, when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate and represented the 21st Senate District. In 1994, Petak won his reelection to the Senate and served until 1996.
Petak famously cast the deciding vote to provide funding to build Miller Park — the home of the Milwaukee Brewers —now known as American Family Field. Following his time in the Senate, Petak was appointed as deputy executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) by former Gov. Tommy Thompson and served there until 1998. From 2013 to 2016, Petak served as an administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution’s Division of Corporate and Consumer Services. Then, in 2016, Petak returned to WHEDA and served as a senior business and community engagement officer until his retirement in 2020.
Services for Petak will be held on Mon, Jan. 6, 2025, in Colorado.
When will flags fly at half-staff?
The American flag and Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff on Monday, Jan. 6.
How long will flags fly at half-staff?
The two flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, per Evers’ executive order.
Additionally, the flags will “concurrently be flown at half-staff pursuant to Executive Order #249,” in remembrance of former President Jimmy Carter. Under that order, flags in the state will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Where will flags fly at half-staff?
The flags will fly at half-staff at all “buildings, grounds and military installations” belonging to the state of Wisconsin, per Evers’ executive order.
Why do flags fly at half-staff?
According to Usa.gov, flags are usually flown at half-staff following national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders. Flags can also be flown at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance.
Tom Daykin and Cailey Gleeson contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are the flags flying at half-staff today in Wisconsin?