WHEREAS, Specialist Hook, has lived in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, over the years with family; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Hook volunteered for enlistment in the United States Army and served in the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Hook was killed in action in Northern Iraq, during a time of war while serving as a member of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Hook was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving son and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Hook has been recommended for some of our nation’s highest military honors; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Hook’s patriotism and dedicated service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. 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 Tuesday, September 4, 2007, in recognition and mourning of a brave and loyal American, United States Army Specialist Michael A. Hook.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 31st day
of August, Two Thousand and Seven, and of
the Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirty-Second.

/s/ Jon S. Corzine
Governor
[seal]