Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
August 09, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2019
Governor Whitmer Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Former Congressman and Judge R. James Harvey
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, October 5, 2019, to honor the life and service of former congressman and federal Judge Russell James Harvey.
“Judge Harvey was a dedicated public servant and worked tirelessly on behalf of Michiganders and the state of Michigan,” Whitmer said. “His service to the people of Michigan as a member of congress and a federal judge embodied what we should expect from our leaders.”
Judge R. James Harvey’s career of public service began in the Army Air Corps during World War II before serving as Mayor of Saginaw from 1957 to 1959. In 1960, he was elected to Congress where he served until 1974 until his appointment to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He earned senior status on the court in 1984 and took inactive senior status in 2002.
Judge Harvey passed away on July 20 at his home in Naples, Florida at the age of 97. The lowering of the flags will coincide with his memorial at St. Catherine’s Church in Williamston, Michigan, on October 5, 2019, at 11 a.m.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Judge R. James Harvey by lowering flags to half-staff within the State Capitol Complex.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, October 6, 2019.
###