{"id":1316,"date":"2024-05-13T14:57:14","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T18:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=1316"},"modified":"2024-05-13T14:57:14","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T18:57:14","slug":"billy-graham-statue-to-be-unveiled-at-u-s-capitol-may-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/05\/13\/billy-graham-statue-to-be-unveiled-at-u-s-capitol-may-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Billy Graham Statue to be Unveiled at U.S. Capitol May 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

The revered Billy Graham, known as “America’s Pastor,” will be honored on May 16 with a statue at the U.S. Capitol commemorating his life in ministry.<\/p>\n

\"President
President Ronald Reagan presented Rev. Billy Graham with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in February 1983. (Image credit: The White House via Billy Graham Evangelistic Association<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On February 21, 2018, William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr., died at age 99, leaving a legacy of serving God’s children and his country. Since World War II, he has stood beside 13 of the nation’s 46 presidents and counseled America’s Commander-in-Chief on many personal, social and biblical issues.<\/p>\n

Billy Graham will be honored in “Carolina Bronze” in a private ceremony at The National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol for his unparalleled service to his country and more than five decades of evangelistic ministry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe legacy of Rev. Billy Graham is based on his simple message of forgiveness based on John 3:16. His lifelong commitment to preaching the Gospel, his fight for civil rights, his opposition to communism, and his spiritual guidance provided hope to hundreds of millions,\u201d said Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) who was part of the bipartisan effort to place the statue in the Capitol via news release. \u201cHe was the first private citizen from North Carolina to lie in honor in the United States Capitol, and his likeness should stand in the U.S. Capitol forever.<\/em>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Additionally, the statue’s base features the minister’s favorite Bible verses\u2014John 3:16<\/a> and John 14:6<\/a>. On the grounds of the Billy Graham Library, there will also be a plaque similar to Graham\u2019s grave marker: \u201cPreacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Presidential Service of Billy Graham<\/h2>\n

Known foremostly for holding crusades and sharing the Gospel worldwide, Billy Graham remained faithful to the office of the President. This journey is seen by his consistency in speaking to the man outside of the party.<\/p>\n

In 1950, his visits to 1600 Pennsylvania began with a request to pray with Harry Truman, who later famously welcomed Billy Graham<\/a> to his home in Missouri. His legacy to serve our nation’s leadership grew from there.<\/p>\n