State offices, KU will be closed Tuesday to honor Gerald Ford

A DAY OF MOURNING

a small, informal area was set up at the Dole Institute of Politics for people to sign a book and look over pictures of the late Gerald R. Ford and former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, and to pay their respects to the former president who passed away Tuesday. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has ordered state offices to be closed this Tuesday for a day of mourning.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has ordered state offices closed Tuesday, which has been declared a national day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford.

Included in the closings will be state court offices and Kansas University.

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Kay McFarland ordered that state courts be closed provided that the chief judge may authorize the conduct of any court proceedings scheduled for that day in the interest of justice.

Douglas County Chief Judge Robert Fairchild ordered that the offices of the court clerk and trustee be closed.

He directed that all court matters currently scheduled for Tuesday be conducted unless judges hearing the cases determine that they can be conducted at a later date.

Also closed Tuesday will be KU’s Lawrence, Edwards and medical center campuses.

The university will operate on a holiday schedule.

KU is on winter break until Jan. 19, so classes will not be interrupted.

KU’s Hilltop Child Development Center, 1605 Irving Hill Road, also will be closed Tuesday.

The Dole Institute of Politics is setting up a display in honor of Ford and a memorial registry to be sent to the Ford family.

The public can view the display and sign the book during regular business hours until Jan. 26.

The institute will be closed Monday for New Year’s Day but will be open Tuesday.

KU carillonneur Elizabeth Berghout will play a concert tribute to Ford from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 21. The concert at the Memorial Campanile and Carillon will be free and open to the public.

Kansas Public Radio will broadcast live coverage of Ford’s funeral Tuesday from Washington, D.C. It will begin at 9 a.m.