Half-Staff Notice: Death of Representative Donald McEachin
Representative Donald McEachin’s (D-VA4) Chief-of-Staff Tara Roundtree announced the death of the representative due to colorectal cancer this evening. She said, “Valiantly, for years now, we have watched him fight and triumph over the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013. Tonight, he lost that battle.” He was sixty-one.
In accordance with the US Flag Code, the flag shall be placed at half-staff for a sitting member of the House of Representative for the day of death and the day after. As such, the flag should be lowered until sunset on December 1, 2022.
As of yet, there has been no statement issued by President Joe Biden or Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has released a statement.
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the passing of Congressman Donald McEachin:
“It is with great sadness that I join Virginians tonight in mourning the loss of Congressman Donald McEachin: a tireless champion for Virginia families and a force for economic opportunity and environmental justice.
“For two decades, Congressman McEachin was a distinguished leader on climate in Richmond: serving in both the House of Delegates and the State Senate. A respected voice on the Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees, he advocated to lower costs, expand broadband access and protect families from gun violence. His many contributions to our Select Committee on the Climate Crisis helped lay the essential groundwork for our climate action over the last two years, especially the important progress toward environmental justice.
“Congressman McEachin understood that every family — whether in the East End of Richmond or any community across America — deserves clean air, clean water and a healthy planet. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, and he leaves behind a legacy that will improve the lives of all of our children for generations to come. May it be a comfort to his loving wife Colette, their dear children Mac, Briana and Alexandra, grandchild Gael and the entire McEachin family that so many join them in mourning during this sad time.”
For flags which cannot be placed at half-staff, such as those mounted on a fixed staff in an office or church, or on a gaff such as a porch or boat, the American Legion recommends affixing a black ribbon to the peak of the staff or gaff, the width of a stripe and the length of a flag. For a flag displayed flat such as a wall, they recommend affixing a black bow in the centre, or three black bows across the top.