As a mark of respect for the memory and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Sen. Connie Johnson asked Gov. Mary Fallin on Wednesday to order all American and Oklahoma flags on state property to be flown at half-staff from 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 13, until 8:30 a.m. on the morning of his state funeral and interment, Sunday, December 15.
“Nelson Mandela’s legacy of work on behalf of democracy, freedom and equality in his native land echoes the Oklahoma values we all hold so dear,” said Johnson, D-Oklahoma County. “A world famous political prisoner who devoted his life to the ideals of democracy, freedom and justice, Mr. Mandela served as South Africa's first black president and won the1993 Nobel Peace Prize. With that in mind, it is both fitting and proper that our state mark his passing, if only in this small way.”