GOVERNOR ORDERS STATE FLAG TO HALF STAFF IN HONOR OF FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has ordered the state flag to be lowered to half-staff in honor of former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley, who passed away on Aug. 6.

Hogan has also released the following statement:

“The First Lady and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley, one of Maryland’s most dedicated and respected leaders. She was a friend and I had come to value her wise counsel over the years. During a recent visit with her, I was inspired to see that the same spirit and determination that defined both her public and personal life was still very much present right up to the end.
 
“Congresswoman Bentley worked with tenacity, energy, and passion on behalf of her constituents, making her a rare breed in politics and a role model to public servants across Maryland. She was a trailblazer for women in media and government, a longtime champion for manufacturing, maritime issues, and the Port of Baltimore which proudly bears her name as an everlasting tribute to her achievements.

“Our deepest sympathies are with her family and friends as the First Lady and I, along with countless Marylanders, mourn the loss of a true leader for our great state. The legacy of Congresswoman Bentley will not soon be forgotten. We owe her a debt of gratitude for a lifetime of service on behalf of the state of Maryland. She will be missed.”