PA Flags Ordered to Half Staff by Governor

Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA) has ordered state flags at the State Capitol complex and other state facilities to fly at half staff over the weekend and into the work week in honor of State Representative Dick Hess (R-PA78) of Bedford (in South West Central Pennsylvania).  

According to Hess' website, Hess died Friday morning at age 74 from complications following recent leg surgery in Pittsburgh.  The website says "he was 74 years old and died peacefully surrounded by family."
According to an obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Hess was a nearly life-long career politician who "began his career in public office in 1965, as Chief Clerk to the Bedford County commissioners."

He was chairman of the House Transportation Committee at the time of his death.

Governor Corbett issued a statement on Hess' passing Friday:

“Dick Hess was a champion of economic progress, moral values and individual rights – principles he represented unfailingly in his 26 years in the General Assembly,’’ Corbett said. 

“In both his role as chairman of the House Commerce Committee and, this session, chairing the House Transportation Committee, Dick placed the economic well-being of Pennsylvania’s citizens foremost. He was guided in this service by his experience as a prothonotary and clerk of courts in Bedford County, as well as his deep religious faith.

“Susan and I send our deepest condolences to Dick’s wife, Shirley, their son, Jeff, daughter-in-law, Lizette, and their three grandchildren.’’

 The Governor says state flags will fly at half staff until Hess' burial.

Funeral arrangements were still pending as of Sunday morning.