Whitmer orders flags at half-staff for Cheeks Kilpatrick. What to know

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has ordered the U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the State Capitol complicated lowered to half-staff in the present day, October 22, 2025, in honor of former congresswoman Carolyn Wangen Kilpatrick, who not too long ago handed away.

“Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was a troublesome voice for Detroit,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated in a information launch. “Whether or not it was civil rights or humanitarian aid, Congresswoman Kilpatrick was by no means afraid to interrupt boundaries and get up for what she believed in.”

Cheeks Kilpatrick died on October 7, 2025. She was 80. A celebration of life was deliberate for October 22.

Wangen Kilpatrick served 18 years within the State Home and 14 years within the U.S. Home earlier than she was defeated in a 2010 Democratic main in opposition to former U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke of Detroit.

The flags are to be returned to the complete employees of the State Capitol complicated by Thursday, September 23, 2025.

This is what we all know.

Who was Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick?

Cheeks Kilpatrick was born and raised in Detroit, in response to a information launch from the governor’s workplace. She graduated from Detroit Excessive Faculty of Commerce and acquired her Bachelor of Science diploma from Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo. She later acquired her Grasp of Science diploma from the College of Michigan in 1977. She started her profession as a highschool trainer.

“She was additionally a staunch ally of the auto trade and supported efforts to avoid wasting Normal Motors and Chrysler throughout the Nice Recession of 2008,” Whitmer added.

Cheeks Kilpatrick was elected to the Michigan Home of Representatives in 1978, the place she represented Oakland and Wayne counties. As a state consultant, Kilpatrick turned the primary Black girl to serve on the Home Appropriations Committee and chair the Corrections and Transportation subcommittees.

In 1996, she challenged three-term incumbent Barbara-Rose Collins within the main for what was then the fifteenth District. By defeating Collinsn, Kilpatrick entered the U.S. Home of Representatives, the place she served till 2011.

Throughout her time within the U.S. Home, Kilpatrick turned the second Black girl assigned to the Appropriations Committee.

Why did Governor Gretchen Whitmer order flags at half-staff?

Whitmer has ordered the U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the State Capitol complicated lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in honor of former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who not too long ago handed away.

How lengthy did Whitmer order the flags to be lowered?

The flags are to be returned to the complete employees of the State Capitol complicated by Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Easy methods to correctly fly your flag at half-mast

On days when the flag is flown at half-mast, it should first be hoisted momentarily to the highest of the mast after which lowered to the half-mast place, in response to the American flag code.

Earlier than reducing the flag, it should be raised once more earlier than being lowered for the day.

What’s the distinction between ‘half mast’ and ‘half mast’?

Half-mast refers to flags lowered on a ship, whereas flagpoles are legally known as staffs Americanflags.com. Flags lowered to shore are known as half-staff, whereas flagpoles on the bottom or buildings are known as staffs.

How do I do know if Michigan flags are at half-staff?

In Michigan, you may join alerts when flags must be flown at half-staff.

Governor orders U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff throughout Michigan Implementation Decree 2013 -10. As well as, flags shall be flown at half-mast as introduced by the US President

As well as, the flag is at all times lowered to half-mast by Governor Whitmer on the next days:

• Nationwide Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7
• Peace Officers Memorial Day: Might 15 – half-staff from dawn to sundown; besides when Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in Might)
• Memorial Day: Final Monday in Might: The flag should be flown at half-mast till midday after which flown to the highest of the employees.
• Patriot Day: September 11

Flag honorary notices are issued by the governor and are posted within the Governor’s newsroom. To obtain electronic mail notifications of flag awards, customers can join alerts via GovDelivery.

USA TODAY contributed to this story.