New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Orders Flags Lowered For James Gandolfini

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James Gandolfini

Flags in the Garden State will be at half mast Monday to honor the late "Sopranos" star.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has released an executive order that all flags in the state will be flown at half-staff on Monday, June 24 to "recognize the achievements and contributions" of James Gandolfini.

According to the order, "The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on on Monday, June 24, 2013, in recognition and mourning of the passing of James Gandolfini."

A statement from the Governor's office reads: "James Gandolfini was an iconic actor and will be remembered for the timeless impact he left upon television and film in the State of New Jersey and across our nation."
Governor Christie honored the late star of the HBO show, The Sopranos, on his Twitter account, and offered his sympathies on Twitter after learning of the actor's passing Wednesday night.

"James Gandolfini’s passing is an awful shock. He was a fine actor, a Rutgers alum and a true Jersey guy," he wrote on the micro-blogging site. "I was a huge fan of his and the character he played so authentically, Tony Soprano."
This isn't the first time the New Jersey governor ordered flags at half-staff for an entertainer. The Garden State flags were previously lowered in honor of E-Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons and Whitney Houston. For two days prior to the order, listeners to the local radio station NJ101.5 called in, debating the move.