USA TODAY International Edition
Billy Graham receives rare honor from nation’s leaders
Evangelist is fourth to lie in honor at U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON – President Trump and congressional leaders praised Billy Graham as America’s pastor during a private ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as the preacher lay in honor.
Graham, an evangelical preacher who spoke to millions in his lifetime, died Feb. 21 at age 99. His casket was placed in the center of the Capitol Rotunda for the crowded morning ceremony attended by members of Congress, the Cabinet, the president and Vice President Pence. The Rotunda was opened for public viewing afterward.
Throughout the 30-minute ceremony, the president and first lady Melania Trump sat next to the Graham family.
The president called Graham an “ambassador for Christ” who changed America and the world.
“He ministered to all walks, from some of the greats whose statues line this very hall — Eisenhower, King, Ford and Reagan — to everyday citizens lining up to pay their respects,” House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said. “His message never diminished. That love was so infectious, wasn’t it? The man had such a gift for connecting with people.”
Graham’s wooden casket was carried into the packed but silent Rotunda by military pallbearers just after 11 a.m. It was placed on a wood catafalque, the same one used for Abraham Lincoln and others who have been honored at the Capitol.
Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Ryan each gave brief speeches before laying a wreath next to Graham’s casket.
McConnell said Graham “touched millions of hearts” and “was a success story for the ages.” His fame, he said, never overcame him.
“Billy knew better than anyone that fame and an impressive Rolodex weren’t the real standards of success,” McConnell said. “His aim was simpler: sharing the good news with as many souls as he possibly could.”
No member of the Graham family spoke. Members of Congress waited to greet the family after the ceremony.
“Having served our nation for decades,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, who represents Graham’s hometown of Montreat, N.C., “I can think of no more fitting honor than for Rev. Graham to return to Washington one final time to lie in honor in the Capitol’s Rotunda.”
Trump followed up his remarks with a tweet, urging “men and women like Billy Graham to spread a message of love and hope to every precious child of God.”
Graham is the fourth person to lie in honor at the Capitol. The previous was civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005. U.S. Capitol Police officers Jacob Joseph and John Michael Gibson, both of whom were killed in the line of duty in 1998, also received the honor.
Maryann McFadden of Arlington, Va., said she never saw Graham preach, but his honesty set him apart.
“It was just easy for him to speak, and he was sincere,” she said.
The Billy Graham Library will host the funeral Friday, and Trump will attend.