Federal courts are closed Tuesday under a proclamation issued last week appointing Tuesday as a National Day of Mourning for former US President Gerald R. Ford, who died last week at the age of 93. President Bush ordered most federal offices to be closed Tuesday as a mark of respect for Ford, though some Justice Department offices will remain open, as will other federal offices the operation of which is deemed necessary for national security reasons. In addition, U.S. district courts will be closed today, as will the offices of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. All appointments and interviews originally scheduled for USCIS will be rescheduled. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will also be closed today. Ford, whose presidency in the 1970s was defined by his controversial pardon of former President Richard Nixon, died Dec. 26 at age 93. President Bush has declared today a national day of mourning. All flags should be flown at half-staff. A memorial service is scheduled for today at the National Cathedral in Washington. |