THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release December 5, 2013
DEATH OF NELSON MANDELA

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

 Today, the United States has lost a close friend, South Africa has lost an incomparable liberator, and the world has lost an inspiration for freedom, justice, and human dignity — Nelson Mandela is no longer with us, he belongs to the ages.

 Nelson Mandela achieved more than could be expected of any man.  His own struggle inspired others to believe in the promise of a better world, and the rightness of reconciliation.  Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, he transformed South Africa — and moved the entire world.  His journey from a prisoner to a President embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better.  His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the life of nations or our own personal lives.

 While we mourn his loss, we will forever honor Nelson Mandela’s memory.  He left behind a South Africa that is free and at peace with itself — a close friend and partner of the United States.  And his memory will be kept in the hearts of billions who have been lifted up by the power of his example.

We will not see the likes of Nelson Mandela again.  It falls to us to carry forward the example that he set — to make decisions guided not by hate, but by love; to never discount the difference that one person can make; and to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice.  For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived — a man who took history in his hands, and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

As a mark of respect for the memory of Nelson Mandela, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, December 9, 2013.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

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The president has the authority to lower the flag for prominent people as he sees fit. The direct quote from flag code is “After the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag may be flown at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or in accordance with recognized custom not inconsistent with law.” This comes from the section titled Flying the Flag at Half-Staff and can be found at https://www.gettysburgflag.com/flag-code/

According to this article, the last time it was lowered for a non-American was in 2005 when President Bush ordered the flags to half-staff for Pope John Paul II http://www.gpb.org/news/2013/12/06/u-s-flags-lowered-for-mandela-a-rare-honor-for-foreign-leaders

The official whitehouse proclamations can be seen here:

Nelson Mandela
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/12/05/presidential-proclamation-death-nelson-mandela

Pope John Paul II –
http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050402-3.html

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