Delaware News

Governor Meyer Orders the Lowering of Flags to Honor the Lives of George Bunting and John Viola; Rev. Jesse Jackson

Flag Status | Governor Matt Meyer | Newsroom | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2026



WILMINGTON — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer ordered all flags at state buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff to honor the lives and service of former Delaware state legislators, George Bunting and John Viola, who passed away last week. Flags should also be lowered in remembrance of the life, service, and influence of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed early Tuesday. 

Governor Matt Meyer issued the following statements on each man’s extraordinary service:

Rev. Jesse Jackson
“The Rev. Jesse Jackson was a giant in American politics. From the civil rights movement to his historic presidential campaigns to decades spent advocating for equality across the globe, his fight for working people and racial justice laid the groundwork for generational change. He was a progressive before it was cool and a revolutionary when it was hard. His life should be an example to us all that we have a duty to serve our neighbors and fight for what we believe in, especially when the cards are stacked against us. Lauren and I are holding his family in our prayers, as the people of Delaware mourn this loss, celebrate his life, and resolve to always remember the influence and impact of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.”

George Bunting
“We were saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator George Bunting. George devoted nearly three decades to serving the people of Delaware, representing the Cape Region with humility, steadiness, and a deep commitment to community. A Marine veteran and small business owner, he believed public service was about doing the work, building consensus, and putting others first. Senator Bunting always worked to find common ground and common decency in American communities that were increasingly being divided. Even after retiring from the General Assembly, he remained active and engaged, continuing to advocate for veterans, schools, and the region he loved. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who knew him. His legacy of service will continue to be felt across Delaware for years to come.”
 
John Viola
“We mourn the loss of former House Majority Whip John Viola, a man who devoted more than two decades to serving the people of Newark and Bear. John was an Air Force veteran, a volunteer firefighter, and a steady presence in Legislative Hall from 1998 to 2020. He led with humility and purpose, always focused on helping people and making life a little better for the families he represented. His service alongside his daughter in the Delaware House spoke volumes about his deep commitment to both family and public service. Lauren and I are keeping his family and loved ones in our prayers during this time of remembrance.” 

Flags will remain at half-staff through sundown on Saturday, February 21, 2026. For real-time flag status notifications, visit https://news.delaware.gov/subscribe/.

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Governor Meyer Orders the Lowering of Flags to Honor the Lives of George Bunting and John Viola; Rev. Jesse Jackson

Flag Status | Governor Matt Meyer | Newsroom | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2026



WILMINGTON — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer ordered all flags at state buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff to honor the lives and service of former Delaware state legislators, George Bunting and John Viola, who passed away last week. Flags should also be lowered in remembrance of the life, service, and influence of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed early Tuesday. 

Governor Matt Meyer issued the following statements on each man’s extraordinary service:

Rev. Jesse Jackson
“The Rev. Jesse Jackson was a giant in American politics. From the civil rights movement to his historic presidential campaigns to decades spent advocating for equality across the globe, his fight for working people and racial justice laid the groundwork for generational change. He was a progressive before it was cool and a revolutionary when it was hard. His life should be an example to us all that we have a duty to serve our neighbors and fight for what we believe in, especially when the cards are stacked against us. Lauren and I are holding his family in our prayers, as the people of Delaware mourn this loss, celebrate his life, and resolve to always remember the influence and impact of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.”

George Bunting
“We were saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator George Bunting. George devoted nearly three decades to serving the people of Delaware, representing the Cape Region with humility, steadiness, and a deep commitment to community. A Marine veteran and small business owner, he believed public service was about doing the work, building consensus, and putting others first. Senator Bunting always worked to find common ground and common decency in American communities that were increasingly being divided. Even after retiring from the General Assembly, he remained active and engaged, continuing to advocate for veterans, schools, and the region he loved. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who knew him. His legacy of service will continue to be felt across Delaware for years to come.”
 
John Viola
“We mourn the loss of former House Majority Whip John Viola, a man who devoted more than two decades to serving the people of Newark and Bear. John was an Air Force veteran, a volunteer firefighter, and a steady presence in Legislative Hall from 1998 to 2020. He led with humility and purpose, always focused on helping people and making life a little better for the families he represented. His service alongside his daughter in the Delaware House spoke volumes about his deep commitment to both family and public service. Lauren and I are keeping his family and loved ones in our prayers during this time of remembrance.” 

Flags will remain at half-staff through sundown on Saturday, February 21, 2026. For real-time flag status notifications, visit https://news.delaware.gov/subscribe/.

### 

image_printPrint

A graphic of a flag

Receive a real time email notification when the Office of Management and Budget posts a news release on news.delaware.gov announcing a change in flag status.

Here you can subscribe to future flag status updates.