President Calls For Moment of Silence

President Obama is calling for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona.

The observance will be at 11 a.m. Monday, EST.

"It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart."

The President will observe the moment of silence with White House staff on the South Lawn.

Today, he signed a proclamation calling for flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset, Jan. 14.

The trip the President was planned to take Tuesday to Schenectady, N.Y., has been postponed, and is expected to be rescheduled.

Read President Obama's proclamation below.

HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN TUCSON, ARIZONA
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 14, 2011. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA