CHARLESTON — West Virginians are invited to honor and celebrate the distinguished life of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, with a public procession through Charleston, starting Thursday evening, July 1. Sen. Byrd will lie in repose at the state Capitol’s Lower Rotunda, from 9 p.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. Friday, where the public is invited to pay their respects. A public, formal memorial service will also take place 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 2 at the state Capitol’s North Plaza.

Also, through entering an Executive Order Thursday, Gov. Joe Manchin has proclaimed this Friday, July 2, will be celebrated as a special day of observance in honor of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd and will give state employees the official day off.

The governor truly hopes that this day off will allow state employees an opportunity to join him in honoring and celebrating the life of the state’s senior senator.

West Virginians are invited to honor and celebrate the distinguished life of Sen. Byrd, with a public procession through Charleston, starting Thursday evening, July 1. Sen. Byrd will lie in repose at the state Capitol’s Lower Rotunda, from 9 p.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. Friday, where the public is invited to pay their respects. A public, formal memorial service will also take place 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 2 at the state Capitol’s North Plaza.

“This will be a beautiful service for a wonderful public servant,” said Manchin. “I invite all West Virginians to join us during this special day of remembrance and to celebrate the many accomplishments of this outstanding West Virginian.”

This Executive Order only applies to state government employees. County employees also may take time off if the county commission elects to designate the day or part thereof as time off.