Bush's order was interpreted to apply on the federal level

By JOSEPH C. BATTRICK
Gazette-Times reporter

In honor of Pope John Paul II, flags will be lowered to half-staff at many locations around the country today by order of President Bush. But while many institutions have lowered their flags all week, some, including Benton County, are declining to do so altogether.

The President's proclamation last Saturday called for a lowering of flags "as a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II." The order stated that the U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds until sunset today, the day of the Pope's funeral.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski echoed the President's order in a statement Wednesday. However, his request asked that flags be lowered today only.

Corvallis City Manager Jon Nelson requested that flags at City Hall be lowered all week because it is a public building.

"This includes the city offices," said Carrie Mullins of the City Manager's office.

But Benton County Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo interpreted the President's order differently. She said the proclamation referred to government at the federal level only. When asked about Kulongoski's statement, she said that it wasn't really an order but rather a request.

Jaramillo expressed a concern that lowering the flag to honor a religious leader might set a precedent that conflicted with the separation of church and state.

"I don't think there is a lack of respect here," she said. "I have a great deal of respect for the Pope, and this decision was not made with any personal bias."

Jaramillo emphasized that the county prefers to lower its flags to honor people of local significance, such as police officers, firefighters and soldiers. The county typically does not lower flags for other people unless they have a connection to the government or some other national significance, she said.

Corvallis School District officials said they planned to comply with the Governor's request to lower flags today. District personnel received an e-mail Thursday morning from Gene Evans, communications director at the Oregon Department of Education, regarding the governor's request.

Kerry Richey, a member of the district's community relations staff, said that the request had been forwarded to campus stewards and head secretaries at all district schools.

According to Anna Taylor with the Governor's office, there were some initial concerns about lowering flags to honor the Pope. However, after consulting both legal counsel and the National Governors Association to see what other states were doing, state officials decided to issue the request.

Taylor said that even though the Pope is a religious figure, his role as leader of Vatican City placed him at the same level as a head of state.

"This seemed to be an appropriate way to pay our respects for the passing of a leader such as the Pope," Taylor said.