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A resolution encouraging Virginians to lower their flags to half-staff once a year to mourn abortion advanced out of a House of Delegates committee Monday morning.

As introduced by Del. Benjamin L. Cline, R-Rockbridge, the resolution would designate Jan. 22 as the “Day of Tears” to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision affirming women’s constitutional right to abortion.

At a meeting of the House Rules committee, Cline offered a substitute resolution clarifying that the measure does not create an “official day” but rather recognizes the work of the Waynesboro-based nonprofit Day of Tears, which encourages the private lowering of flags as a way of bringing awareness to the cause of ending abortion.

The substitute version says the day is “recognized” rather than designated, but still calls for the lowering of flags to “mourn the innocents who have lost their lives to abortion.”

“It’s not a mandate,” said Anne Fitzgerald, the executive director of the group founded 16 months ago. “It’s just a request that we honor that day.”