Whitney Houston Tribute: New Jersey Flags To Fly At Half-Staff

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he will order flags flown at half-staff at state government buildings Saturday in memory of Whitney Houston.

The governor says Houston was a "cultural icon" who belongs in the same category in New Jersey music history as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen.

He says her accomplishments were "a great source of pride for the people of the state."

Her funeral will be held the same day in her birthplace of Newark.

• Singers Whitney Houston (L) and Dionne W

  Singers Whitney Houston (L) and Dionne Warwick perform onstage during the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons, with Clive Davis Honoring David Geffen at the Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011. The event, on the eve of the 53rd Annual GRAMMY, honored Geffen Records founder and DreamWorks SKG co-founder David Geffen who was presented with the President's Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

• Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala And Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen - Inside

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Whitney Houston attends the 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen at Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)

• Singer Whitney Houston performs onstage

  Singer Whitney Houston performs onstage during the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons, with Clive Davis Honoring David Geffen at the Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011. The event, on the eve of the 53rd Annual GRAMMY, honored Geffen Records founder and DreamWorks SKG co-founder David Geffen who was presented with the President's Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

• Whitney Houston waves to the crowd at the 36th Ann

  NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Whitney Houston waves to the crowd at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in New York 01 March 1994 after she was honored for Record of the Year, 'I'll Always Love You,' and Album of the Year, the soundtrack from the film 'The Bodyguard.' At rear is her producer David Foster, who shared the honors with her. (Photo credit should read POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

• 1994 WORLD CUP FINAL

  17 JUL 1994 : WHITNEY HOUSTON SINGS DURING THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD CUP BEFORE THE ITALY V BRAZIL 1994 WORLD CUP FINAL AT THE ROSE BOWL STADIUM IN PASADENA CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Billy Stickland/ALLSPORT

• (FILES) US pop star and entertainer Mich

  (FILES) US pop star and entertainer Michael Jackson (2R) gathers with Elizabeth Taylor (L), Liza Minnelli (2L) and Whitney Houston (R) at the United Nego College Fund dinner at a New York hotel March 10, 1988 in New York. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest, sending shockwaves sweeping across the world and tributes pouring in on June 26 for the tortured music icon revered as the 'King of Pop.' AFP PHOTO/Mark CARDWELL (Photo credit should read MARK CARDWELL/AFP/Getty Images)

• 2/27/98 Los Angeles, CA. Whitney Houston at the 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. She recieved th

  2/27/98 Los Angeles, CA. Whitney Houston at the 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. She recieved the Quincy Jones Award for 'Outstanding Career Achievement' in the field of entertainment.

• 1999 VH1 Divas Live

  Whitney Houston performs during the VH1 DIVAS LIVE '99 at the Beacon Theatre in New York on Tuesday, April 13. Other performers include Brandy, Tina Turner, and Cher, with a special performance by Elton John. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.

• Singers Mariah Carey (L) and Whitney Houston perfo

  LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Singers Mariah Carey (L) and Whitney Houston perform 'When You Believe' during the 71st Academy Awards 21 March 1999 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO Timothy A. Clary (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

• 42nd Annual Grammy Awards - Pressroom

  Whitney Houston at the 2000 Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, CA on Febuary 23, 2000 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect

• (FILES): This 23 February 2000 file phot

  LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: (FILES): This 23 February 2000 file photo shows US pop diva Whitney Houston performing at the 42d Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Houston has checked into a drug rehabilitation clinic, her publicist said 16 March 2004, providing a new twist in her long battle with drug addiction. Houston, 40, has 'chosen to enter a facility for rehabilitation,' her publicist said in a terse statement that provided no further details of the type or location of the treatment, but which contained a message for her fans. 'She thanks everyone for their support and prayers,' the statement said. AFP PHOTO / FILES / Hector MATA (Photo credit should read HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images)

• Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala And Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen - Inside

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Singer Whitney Houston attends the 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen at Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)

• Whitney Houston In Concert

  BERLIN - MAY 12: US-American singer Whitney Houston performs live during a concert at the O2 World on May 12, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. The concert is part of the 2010 Nothing But Love tour to promote the album I Look To You. (Photo by Jakubaszek/Getty Images)

• Whitney Houston Performs In Milan

  MILAN, ITALY - MAY 03: Whitney Houston performs at Mediolanum Forum on May 3, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

• 2010 BET Honors - Show

  WASHINGTON - JANUARY 16: Whitney Houston accepts the BET Honor for entertainment during the 2010 BET Honors at the Warner Theatre on January 16, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

• 17th Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Ball - Arrivals

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 28: Producer Clive Davis (L) and singer Whitney Houston arrive at the 17th Annual Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 28, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

• 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons: Clive Davis - Show

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• World Music Awards 2004 - Show

  LAS VEGAS, NV ? SEPTEMBER 15: Singer Whitney Houston is seen performing on stage during the 2004 World Music Awards at the Thomas and Mack Center on September 15, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• US singer Whitney Houston attends in a w

  US singer Whitney Houston attends in a welcoming ceremony as a guest of honor for the polygamous Black Hebrew sect 30 May 2003 in the southern Israeli town of Dimona. Houston is in Israel for a week to make a recording with the sect. AFP PHOTO/Tal COHEN ISRAEL OUT (Photo credit should read TAL COHEN/AFP/Getty Images)

• Whitney Houston

  DECATUR, GA - AUGUST 27: Singer Whitney Houston leaves the DeKalb County Courthouse after a probation violation hearing for her husband, singer Bobby Brown on August 27, 2003 in Decatur, Georgia. Brown was sentenced to 14 days in jail followed by 60 days of house arrest for violating conditions of his probation, stemming from 1996 DUI charges. (Photo by Frank Mullen/Getty Images)

• VH1 Divas Duets Post Concert Party

  LAS VEGAS - MAY 22: Actresses (L-R) Tia and Tamara Mowry with singer Whitney Houston attend the VH1 Divas Duets post concert party to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 22, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

• Singer Whitney Houston Visits Israel

  JERUSALEM - MAY 27: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (R) welcomes singer Whitney Houston (L) and her husband/singer, Bobby Brown (C), at the prime minister's residence May 27, 2003 in Jerusalem, Israel. Houston is on a private tour of Israel. (Photo by Quique Kierszenbaum/Getty Images)

• Bobby Brown Appears In Court

  DECATUR, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Singer/actress Whitney Houston (L) smiles at her husband, singer Bobby Brown, during a court hearing November 25, 2002 in Dekalb County State Court in Decatur, Georgia. Brown was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant for a DUI arrest in 1996. Judge Wayne Purdom set a trial of January 21, 2003. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser-Pool/Getty Images)

• Michael Jackson Concert - Day 1

  Whitney Houston performing on the Michael Jackson '30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years' concert at New York's Madison Square Garden, Friday, Sept. 7, 2001. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.

Comments

[Diana Hughes]

11:50 AM on 02/18/2012

I was young, but still remember Whitney Houston standing on the podium singing the National Anthem and being overwhelmed with pride. Not much has changed! Every time I sing that Anthem I feel the same pride in my heart as I did that day. It is not how our Anthem is sung, but the reason why we sing it! Flying our American flag at half-staff represents the men and women who are willing to sacrifice, or have sacrificed their lives in order to protect what it stands for. This representation should be reserved for an elite few that gave the ultimate sacrifice for what they believed in.
Governor Christie has no right to make this decision by his own accord. He may justify it by saying Whitney was a child of New Jersey, but that flag does not represent an individual state. If this is allowed to continue, everyone will feel they have the right to it because of their patriotism. As of now, when the flag is at half-staff I stop for a moment and thank those who have given up everything so I can have my rights as an American. Stop this before our American flag always rest at half-staff and represent nothing.

[Al Gibson]

01:07 PM on 02/17/2012

Army Pfc. Cesar Cortez, 24, of Oceanside, Calif., assigned to 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, Texas; died Feb. 11, in Bahrain in a vehicle accident. Died February 11, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

[DeniseNdavid Hilton]

09:22 AM on 02/17/2012

what is this world coming to? how disgraceful it is when a honor such as lowering the flag at half staff is given to a drug addict. how can we as a people glamorize these celebrities who continue to set horrible examples for our nation, yet have to whisper jesus' name in public? what ever happened to honoring police officers, fire fighters, school teachers, doctors and the hard working people who encourage and help our inner city children daily?

[ajaniabadeet]

07:26 AM on 02/17/2012

ELIVS PRESLEY WAS A JUNKIE. NEVERTHELESS THE FLAG WAS FLOWN AT HALF STAFF FOR HIM WHEN HE DIED. SO WHAT THE HELL IS THE DIFFERENCE? SKIN COLOR!

[coplax]

12:17 PM on 02/16/2012

Total BS...Buying votes one opportubity at a time!!! Shame on you Gov Christie!!!!

[entone]

11:19 AM on 02/16/2012

Used to like him but he is getting dumber and dumber.

[jackspaw]

08:24 AM on 02/16/2012

For a Crack Ho???.. Cmon Man!

[Andrew Shapiro]

07:10 AM on 02/16/2012

Gov Chris Christie you have ordered the United States of America flag to be flown at half-staff. That is the same flag you ordered flown at half-staff to honor the 31 fallen soldiers from New Jersey. When police and firefighters die "in the line of duty". The same flag that hung at half staff when President John F Kennedy was shot. Whitney Houston had a God given talent but she chose a road that t...ook her to the side enterance of as funeral parlor. What type of message are we sending as a country. Is this the type of role model we want our youth to look up to? If you want to fly a flag at half staff then make it the state of New Jersey's flag. Keep the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S flag high and proud!See More

[daringsugar]

03:50 AM on 02/16/2012

Cmon now, flags at half staff, really..for a singer? Good God! A singer who also had drug and alcohol issues..

[Frank Bicking]

12:56 AM on 02/16/2012

Sign the Petition to stop this action.

http://www.change.org/petitions/people-of-nj-stop-half-staff-flags-for-whitney-houston?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=autopublish

[Coccopuffs606]

07:29 PM on 02/15/2012

Are you kidding me?! I love Whitney Houston's music, but what exactly did she contribute to this country? Half-mast is supposed to be reserved for people who gave their lives to their country, not talented singers.

[suze1952]

06:36 PM on 02/15/2012

How typical of this waste of a govenor. The act of a flag at half mast is for heroes - people who have given their life for humanity or contributed such. Whitney had an awesome voice that was a gift and she used it. She was a comodity of the music industry and made into an image the public wanted. Once she was tired of pretending , she was just another lost f++ up person - icon or not but certainly no hero to anyone - especially NJ.

[THunter]

09:40 AM on 02/16/2012

Well said. I mean, really, she abused drugs and left her child motherless. Not exactly "hero material" here.

[suze1952]

06:30 PM on 02/15/2012

How typical of this idiotic governor. Yes, I loved Houston's voice but it was a gift she shared - period. I didn't even know she was from NJ - or maybe I did at some time but so what! Flags at half mast are for for heroes - people who give their life for their country or made a humanitarian difference in our lives. Sorry, but she was just a singer who was fabricated into something to make money and then prooved to be the opposite of the fabrication causing her demise. Sad story but not anything we haven't heard of before.

[meandmydog]

05:47 PM on 02/15/2012

This is ridiculous. Whitney was a singer, for pete's sake..not a national hero. We don't even fly our flags half mass for those losing their lives in war. Yes, she was a talented voice..but no more and no less. Our flag shouldn't be used as a symbol for those who have entertained us, no matter their popularity. Not to mention the sad and troubled life she lived. We already hold our entertainers to a standard no one can meet...that might be half the reason so many of them die before their time. Get a grip.

[sincerelyty]

05:02 PM on 02/15/2012

Never before did I think I would ever agree with or applaud Gov. Cris Christie but thank you for making this decision and standing by it despite the critics.

If they're going to fly it half staff for all the lying, hypocritical, stealing, thieving politicians out there, who have done very little for this country (with his GREATEST GREATNESS being George W. when he goes 6-ft under).... they can fly it for the accomplishments of Whit and the generosity and devotion she ALWAYS showed her home state (and overlook her fallicies). She is a CULTURAL ICON!

Whitney gave us the MOST beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner (in which she made HISTORY by being the only artist to make it a top 100 Billboard hit) while we were in the mist of war.

She greatly lifted the moral of not a city, not state, BUT THAT OF AN ENTIRE NATION. That makes her a national treasure.