State Offices To Be Closed Tuesday

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma state offices will be closed Tuesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning for former President Gerald Ford, Gov. Brad Henry said Friday.<br/><br/>Ford, the 38th

Friday, December 29th 2006, 1:25 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma state offices will be closed Tuesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning for former President Gerald Ford, Gov. Brad Henry said Friday.

Ford, the 38th president, died Tuesday at age 93.

President Bush has ordered that federal offices be closed.

Tinker Air Force Base will be among the federal facilities affected. Only "mission-essential" employees need report for work that day at Tinker, the base said in a news release.

"President Ford demonstrated strong and capable leadership during a difficult period for the United States," Henry said. "In the wake of a nation that had been polarized by war and Watergate, Gerald Ford provided a healing touch through his humility, integrity and honesty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this time."

Henry issued a similar order closing state offices for a National Day of Mourning when President Ronald Reagan died in 2004.

Funeral services for Ford will be held Tuesday at the National Cathedral in Washington.