Jan. 2 declared state holiday in honor of President Gerald Ford
PRATT -- At the beginning of each new year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) begins taking reservations for state park campsites, cabins, and special event facilities. Normally, this begins the first working day of the year, Jan. 2, because New Year's Day is a state holiday every year. This year, however, KDWP will not begin accepting reservations until Wednesday, Jan. 3, because Governor Kathleen Sebelius has declared Tuesday, Jan. 2, a state holiday in memory of President Gerald Ford's death on Dec. 26.
"President Bush has declared Tuesday, January 2, a National Day of Mourning in recognition of former President Gerald Ford," Sebelius said in a memorandum to state employees. "To honor the President’s declaration, and following historic precedent set when state government closed for a day of mourning following the deaths of presidents Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman, Johnson, and Reagan, all state offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
"Former President Gerald Ford helped our country heal in its time of great difficulty," Sebelius added in a formal declaration. "President Ford’s leadership and courage were evident throughout his long career in public service as a member of the House of Representatives and as Vice President."
To reserve Kansas state park facilities for 2007, phone any state park office beginning Jan. 3. For more information, click here, then select the park of your choice.

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