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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release April 8, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The following information describes events surrounding funeral and burial arrangements for Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown. Coverage for the events will be pooled, with the exception of the arrival at the Commerce Department.

The remains of the late secretary will be received with ceremony at the Department of Commerce, 14th Street entrance on Tuesday, April 9 between approximately 10:00-11:00am.

On the evening of Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30pm, a public Celebration of the Life of Ronald H. Brown will be held at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. The event will celebrate the life of the late secretary through remembrances from family, friends and colleagues. Pool coverage of this event will be provided by Black Entertainment Television.

The remains will lie in repose with a guard of honor posted until Wednesday, April 10. The public viewing will last until approximately 10:00am. At 12:15pm a departure ceremony will take place at the Commerce Department.

The remains will then be escorted to the Washington National Cathedral and will arrive with ceremony at approximately 12:45pm. The funeral service will begin at approximately 1:00pm. At the conclusion, the remains will depart with ceremony at approximately 2:00pm.

The remains will be escorted through Washington, D.C., past the Commerce Department, and west on Constitution Avenue to the casket transfer site at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center. The casket transfer will take place at approximately 3:00pm.

The main funeral procession will proceed directly to the grave site and the remains will be carried with ceremony for the committal service. Honors will consist of four ruffles and flourishes and a 19-gun salute.

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