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by betrob

Last Post 680 days, 3 hours Ago


Day Off for Former President Ford Funeral?
Jan 2, 2007 | 2:24 PM
Category: News
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Just curious--When did the government start issuing Executive Orders that give the day off to their employees when a former President dies? I can recall that they did this for Reagan. Did they do it for Nixon back in 1994? What is the purpose of this order? The order states that it "shall not apply to those offices and installations...that the heads thereof determine should remain open for reasons of national security or defense or other essential public business". Why does the Post Office close? Is it not considered essential public business? What business does NOT rely on the day-to-day functions of the Post Office? What other federal office should not be closed? Just a topic for discussion....
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Pikie read my blog view my photos
Jan 2, 2007 | 4:46 PM

Very good question. I don't think it was done when Nixon died, was it? And I wonder if the state and county offices were closed.

Does anyone out there know?
clevebtch read my blog view my photos
Jan 2, 2007 | 8:18 PM

It has always been that way - a National Day of Mourning is declared when a former (or current) U.S. President dies. Yes, they did it for Nixon, too. Actually, this is only the third President in over 13 years to have passed to warrant having a declared day like this. My husband is military (has been for years) and also works as a civilian for DFAS. (By the way, he has already been on scheduled vacation when this all happened, so he was off, anyhow.) The Federal Government believes that giving a day like this is out of respect for our past and present leaders.

To my knowledge, only Federal institutions follow a National Day of Mourning - not state or county.

As far as the Post Office is concerned, I think it's not a big deal to go one day without the mail, honestly. I mean, they do basically work and deliver mail 6 days a week, don't they? I think they also deserve to be included in this day of honor.
greentea read my blog view my photos
Jan 2, 2007 | 8:49 PM

Even the New York Stock Exchange closed for Richard Nixon's funeral in 1994. President Clinton announced Nixon's death at a formal appearance in the White House Rose Garden. Clinton declared a national day of mourning, and said he would attend Nixon's funeral, which will be held at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, Calif., on Wednesday, April 27, 1994.
With regard to Gerald Ford's day of mourning; Federal offices, stock markets and post offices were closed; no regular mail delivery but express delivery was available.

One day out of respect for a former President is totally acceptable - one additional day without mail delivery is really no big deal since it equally effects all businesses.

There are still places in this country that only have mail delivery once a week - rural places of course. Be glad that you have service six days a week!
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