Congressman Sensenbrenner questions lowering of flag for Mandela

MENOMONEE FALLS (WITI) -- Wisconsin Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner is questioning why American flags were lowered to half-staff for Nelson Mandela this week, following Mandela's death at the age of 95.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, December 11th, the Menomonee Falls Congressman said:

"Nelson Mandela deserves international praise for defeating apartheid, fighting for equality and uniting South Africa. While I think the American flag should only be flown at half-staff for Americans, I join the rest of the world in mourning Nelson Mandela`s death."

Lowering the flag is a rare event for foreign leaders. It was last done for the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005.