Whitney Houston: New Jersey State Flag Will Be Lowered on Day of Funeral

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by Peter Gicas | Tue., Feb. 14, 2012 1:50 PM

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Whitney Houston continues to be honored in death.

With the late music icon's funeral scheduled for Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, Gov. Chris Christie has announced that the state's flag will be flown at half-staff on that day.

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"Obviously, Whitney Houston was an important part of the fabric, the cultural fabric of this state," Christie said during a press conference on Tuesday, adding that the Garden State native is part of the same "pantheon of great New Jersey musical talents" as Bruce Springsteen and Frank Sinatra.

"Her accomplishments in her life were a source of great pride," added Christie.

The governor signed a similar order last June following the passing of Clarence Clemons, the legendary sax player for Springsteen's E Street Band.

—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum

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