Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered all flags at Kentucky government buildings lowered to half-staff to honor U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, following a White House proclamation. The flags will remain at half-staff until 6 p.m. on July 18.

Graham, a prominent Republican senator who served South Carolina since 2003, died Saturday evening following a brief and sudden illness. He was 71 years old. Preliminary medical examiner findings indicated the South Carolina senator died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a tear in the main artery from the heart related to the hardening of the arteries.

Graham's death came shortly after he returned from an official visit to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The senator was a longtime foreign policy advocate and a close political ally of President Donald Trump.

Beshear encouraged individuals, businesses and organizations throughout Kentucky to join in the tribute by lowering their own flags during this period. The governor's order follows provisions of the U.S. Flag Code, which authorizes state governors to lower flags in honor of death of prominent federal officials.