Death of Nelson Mandela

Proclamation 9067 of December 5, 2013

Death of Nelson Mandela

By the President of the United States of America

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.