Honoring the Memory of the Victims of Hurricane Katrina

As a mark of respect for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and on 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, Tuesday, September 20, 2005. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

— Proclamation by the President (September 4, 2005)

The President had also proclaimed that the flag would fly at half-staff to honor Chief Justice Rehnquist. By law that order ended at sunset Tuesday (September 13).