Did the Proclamation Have to Be Requested, Too?

[UPDATE: 8 September 2005] Thanks to
The Poor Man for the link. For more on this subject, see
“Six Days Before the Presidential Proclamation: Why It Matters.”

This is a compilation of presidential proclamations ordering flags to be flown at half-mast, from the White House’s “Proclamations issued by President Bush”:

Event	Event Date	Proclamation Date	Elapsed Days
Death of Thousands in 9/11 Terrorist Attack	11 Sep 2001 Tuesday	12 Sep 2001 Wednesday	1
Death of Former Senate Majority Leader Michael Mansfield	05 Oct 2001 Friday	05 Oct 2001 Friday	0
Death of Former Supreme Court Justice Byron White	15 Apr 2002 Monday	17 Apr 2002 Wednesday	2
Death of the Columbia Shuttle Astronauts	01 Feb 2003 Saturday	01 Feb 2003 Saturday	0
Death of Senator Strom Thurmond	26 Jun 2003 Thursday	30 Jun 2003 Monday	4*
Death of Bob Hope	27 Jul 2003 Sunday	28 Jul 2003 Monday	1
Death of President Ronald Reagan	05 Jun 2004 Saturday	06 Jun 2004 Sunday	1
Death of Hundreds of Thousands in Asian Tsunami	26 Dec 2004 Sunday	01 Jan 2005 Saturday	6**
Death of Pope John Paul II	02 Apr 2005 Saturday	02 Apr 2005 Saturday	0
Death of Thousands in Hurricane Katrina	29 Aug 2005 Monday	04 Sep 2005 Sunday	6***
Death of Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist	03 Sep 2005 Saturday	04 Sep 2005 Sunday	1
* Apparently, no love for Strom. ** Technically, since the earthquake took place on Sunday morning in the Indian Ocean, the tsunami struck late Saturday (25 December 2005) Washington time. And it didn’t strike US soil, although a number of Americans died in the disaster. *** Katrina hit the coast on Monday morning, but since many of the victims in New Orleans may not have drowned or died from neglect for several days, the number of days elapsed would vary. Some people likely died from results of the storm as he signed the proclamation — and afterward.

And maybe he should have read this before he signed it:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 10, 2005

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Each year from June through November, Americans living on the Eastern seaboard and along the Gulf of Mexico face an increased threat of hurricanes. These powerful storms can create severe flooding, cause power outages, and damage homes and businesses with their high winds, tornadoes, storm surges, and heavy rainfall. The effects of these storms can be devastating to families and cause lasting economic distress. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we call attention to the importance of planning ahead and securing our homes and property in advance of storms.

Last year, six hurricanes and three tropical storms hit the United States, causing the loss of dozens of lives and billions of dollars in damage. Across the United States, Americans responded to these natural disasters with extraordinary strength, compassion, and generosity. Many volunteers donated their time and talents to help with the cleanup, recovery, and rebuilding of communities devastated by the hurricanes and tropical storms.

To prepare for the 2005 hurricane season, I urge all our citizens to become aware of the dangers of hurricanes and tropical storms and to learn how to minimize their destructive effects. Our Nation’s weather researchers and forecasters continue to improve the accuracy of hurricane warnings, enabling residents and visitors to prepare for storms. By working together, Federal, State, and local agencies, first responders, the news media, and private citizens can help save lives and diminish the damage caused by these natural disasters.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 15 through May 21, 2005, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I call upon government agencies, private organizations, schools, and the news media to share information about hurricane preparedness and response to help save lives and prevent property damage. I also call upon Americans living in hurricane-prone areas of our Nation to use this opportunity to learn more about protecting themselves against the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

GEORGE W. BUSH