Office of the Governor

500 E. Capitol Ave.

Pierre, S.D. 57501

(605) 773-3212

www.sd.gov

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, May 17, 2012

CONTACT:  Tony Venhuizen or Joe Kafka at 605-773-3212

              Governor Asks For Flags At Half-Staff To Honor Former Sen. Jim Abdnor

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard requests that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 8 a.m. until sunset in honor of former U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor.

Abdnor, who died Wednesday, was 89.

A World War II veteran, Abdnor was a four-term congressman before serving one term in the U.S. Senate and later heading the U.S. Small Business Administration for two years. He had earlier served six terms in the South Dakota Legislature and was Lieutenant Governor from 1968-1971.

A funeral service for Abdnor will be held Saturday, May 19, at 11:30 a.m. CDT at Lutheran Memorial Church, 320 East Prospect Avenue, Pierre.  Burial will be at the Kennebec Cemetery.

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