USPS, NYSE Close Wednesday to Honor President Bush on National Day of Mourning

In honor of President George H.W. Bush's passing, the United States Postal Service and the New York Stock Exchange have announced they will provide limited services Wednesday, Dec. 5.

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday a National Day of Mourning in memory of President Bush, who died Friday at age 94.

While all post office locations will close and regular mail will be suspended for the day, the USPS will still provide "limited" package delivery.

A statement on the USPS website reads:

"Out of respect for the 41st President of the United States and to honor his vast contributions to our country during his lifetime, and consistent with the Presidential Proclamation, the United States Postal Service will suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity on Dec. 5.

"We will provide limited package delivery service on that day to ensure that our network remains fluid and we do not experience any impacts to our package delivery operations that might negatively affect our customers or business partners during the remainder of our busy holiday season."

The NYSE and NASDAQ will close on Wednesday, plus the U.S. Supreme Court will forgo hearing arguments on that day, reported CNN.

"The exchange will observe a minute of silence to honor President Bush on Monday. As per our tradition, we will close the markets in observation of the Day of Mourning," New York Stock Exchange spokesperson Kristen Kaus said.

Bush's life will be celebrated over four days, including a state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral, a private service at his family church in Houston, Texas and via public viewings in both cities, as Houston television station Fox 26 reported.

A series of events running from Monday through Thursday to celebrate the former president are listed here in Newsweek.

The NYSE announced it will fly the U.S. flag at half-staff during the mourning period, reported CNN.

"We remember President Bush admiringly as a veteran who fought totalitarianism, a statesman who advocated for freedom, a leader who served his country, and an unabashedly dedicated family man," Stacey Cunningham, NYSE Group President, said in a statement.

Traditionally, the NYSE has closed at least partially to honor a U.S. president, including Ronald Regan in 2004 and Richard Nixon in 1994.

The NYSE has traditionally closed for all or part of its session for the funeral of a US president, including in 2004 following the death of Ronald Reagan and in 1994, when it closed for the full day for Richard Nixon's funeral.

Former President George W. Bush, who announced his father's death last Friday, praised him as "a man of the highest character."

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