[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 183 (Friday, November 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2216-E2217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL FOR RUTH AND BILLY GRAHAM

                                 ______


                         HON. CHARLES H. TAYLOR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 17, 1995

  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to 
introduce on behalf of 222 original cosponsors, legislation to honor 
Ruth and Billy Graham with a Congressional Gold Medal. William 
``Billy'' Franklin Graham has been America's most revered evangelical 
leader for the past 45 years. He has helped the less fortunate and 
prescribed the need for a moral society. Graham, 76, has been spiritual 
adviser and confidant to 10 presidents. Over 100 million people have 
come to see a Billy Graham crusade and another 2 billion people have 
watched him on television. His character and strength have made him 
America's most admired man. He has used his immense popularity to 
confront major social problems such as racism, the homeless, and 
hunger. He continues trying to reverse the decline in our society's 
morals by emphasizing ethical and spiritual values.
  Billy Graham was raised in Charlotte, NC, and upon finishing seminary 
school began preaching his message from a street corner in Tampa, FL. 
He has now preached to more people than anyone else in history. To 
extend the reach of his message he used television, magazines, and a 
weekly radio broadcast for which he was given a star on the Hollywood 
Walk of Fame. He has also spread his message through his daily 
newspaper column and 14 books. The Billy Graham Training Center in 
Black Mountain, NC, and the Billy Graham Evangelical Association 
headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, have become beacons of spirituality 
for people from around the world. Billy Graham adheres to the 
principles of which he preached. He and his wife of 52 years, Ruth, 
live their lives with a commitment to their family, each other, and 
God.
  The other side of Billy Graham is the humanitarian and champion of 
the disadvantaged. He has helped the flood victims of India rebuild 
their villages. He arranged for food and supplies to be flown to the 
earthquake victims of Guatemala and has aided refugees fleeing 
political oppression. Billy Graham was so 

[[Page E 2217]]
deeply involved in the fight for racial equality in the South. Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., declared, ``that had it not been for the 
ministry of Billy Graham that he could not have done the work that he 
did.'' People with Billy Graham's strength and devotion are very rare. 
His duty to God led him to be the great man that he is today. It is 
fitting for this Congress to honor these great Americans with a 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  Most recently, the Graham's have devoted themselves to the 
establishment of the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center at 
Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. They share the vision of 
this new center in its effort to improve the health and well-being of 
the children in southern Appalachia and the world. Their goal is for 
the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Center to become a new resource 
for ending the pain and suffering of children.
  We hope that once this legislation is passed by the Congress, the 
Congressional Gold Medal will be presented to the Grahams at a joint 
meeting of the Congress.

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