Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, May 19, to remember former state Rep. Paul Clemente on his birth date.
“State Representative Paul Clemente was dedicated to supporting communities Downriver and across the state,” Whitmer said in a Monday, May 18, release. “As a former small business owner, he worked tirelessly to support small businesses and workers. He cared for Michiganders and worked every day to make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. My thoughts are with his extended family, wife, and kids.”
Here’s what to know about Clemente and how to properly lower flags.
Who was state Rep. Paul Clemente?
Paul D. Clemente died April 22, 2026, at age 62.
Clemente was a former Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 14 from 2011 to 2016, according to Ballotpedia.
He was a CPA for Coopers & Lybrand, and co-owned and managed the now-defunct Clemente’s Bar, Restaurant and Bowling Alley, Ballotpedia said.
Clemente was born and raised in the Downriver community, where he graduated from Allen Park’s Cabrini High School in 1981.
He attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn and pursued a career as an accountant. Throughout his term in the Michigan House of Representatives, he worked on the Financial Services, Insurance, and Tax Policy Committee.
In addition to his finance background, Clemente was an advocate for local small business and opening pathways for unemployed workers and continuing education, Whitmer’s office said.
Clemente’s wife Cara succeeded him as representative.
Why is U.S. flag flying at half-staff on May 19?
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered flags lowered in honor of former State Rep. Paul Clemente’s date of birth.
Where should U.S. and Michigan flags be flown at half-staff on May 19?
U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex, and all public buildings and grounds will be flown at half-staff.
Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
How long should flags fly at half-staff?
Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset on May 19. Flags should be returned to full staff on Wednesday, May 20.
How to correctly fly your flag at half-staff
On days when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised “briskly” to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered slowly to the half-staff position, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Before lowering the flag, it should again be raised to the top before being lowered for the day.
Do flags fly at half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.
On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
Which days are Michigan and U.S. flags lowered?
State officials announce which days to fly Michigan and U.S. flags at half-staff online. You also can sign up for notifications about flag honors.
The flag is always lowered to half staff on the following days by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer:
When flags are lowered to half staff, Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half staff.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Whitmer orders flags at half-staff for state Rep. Paul Clemente
Reporting by Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
