Nguyen Bill Mandates State Agencies To Lower Flags To Half-Staff To Honor Fallen Heroes

Since Governor Katie Hobbs entered office, Arizonans have mourned two fallen heroes, Sergeant Alec Langen, of Chandler, and Sergeant Andrew P. Southard, of Apache Junction. Unlike her predecessors, Hobbs did not order flags to be flown at half-staff immediately upon learning of the deaths until the time of their interments.

However, Hobbs followed her predecessors’ protocol for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, ordering flags at all state buildings to remain at half-staff until their interments. Hobbs even ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff upon the death of California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who had no remarkable ties to Arizona except possibly stock holdings, until sunset on day of her interment, October 5, “as a mark of respect for the memory” of her.

Now, a new bill, sponsored by State Representative Quang Nguyen, is bringing attention to Hobbs’ failure to act expeditiously and respectfully by requiring her and all State agencies to lower flags within 48 hours after receiving notification of the death of a service member whose home of record is in Arizona.

The Arizona House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed “The Dan Ari Act,” legislation that mandates the governor to order the lowering of displayed flags to half-staff upon the death of a service member who was from or stationed in the State of Arizona.

HB 2818, sponsored by Representative Nguyen, applies to all state agencies.

“This legislation is dedicated to the families of our service members,” stated Representative Nguyen. “Lowering the flags in respectful observance for a day is the least we can do to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation. For many of the families, it is all they have left.”

HB 2818 requires the Governor to notify all state agencies within 48 hours of receiving notification of a service member’s death. This directive applies if the service member claimed Arizona as their home of record or was stationed in the state.

Nguyen named the legislation in honor of Dan Ari, an Arizona resident, and U.S. Army Vietnam veteran.

“I’m proud to name HB 2818 in honor of my constituent Daniel Aragaki, known to friends as Dan Ari. Dan was among the many, many veterans who weren’t treated very well when returning from service in Vietnam. Today, he actively volunteers with the Veterans History Project and the Sedona Area Veterans Community Outreach, supporting and honoring veterans in our state.”

“In most states a bill like this would not be needed, but we recently had a situation where Arizona service members were killed and Governor Hobbs would not lower the flags to half-staff, so it is good they are taking steps to ensure we honor our fallen appropriately and consistently,” said Constantin Querard, an Arizona-based political consultant.

The legislation now goes to the Senate for action.