[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H757-H760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       AWARDING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO RUTH AND BILL GRAHAM

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2657) to award a congressional gold medal to Ruth and Billy 
Graham.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2657

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress hereby finds the following:
       (1) Ruth and Billy Graham have made outstanding and lasting 
     contributions to morality, racial equality, family, 
     philanthropy, and religion.
       (2) America's most respected and admired evangelical leader 
     for the past half century, Billy Graham's crusades have 
     reached 100,000,000 people in person and reached over 
     2,000,000,000 people worldwide on television.
       (3) Billy Graham, throughout his 76 years of life and his 
     52-year marriage to Ruth Graham, has exemplified the highest 
     ideals of teaching, counseling, ethics, charity, faith, and 
     family.
       (4) Billy Graham's daily newspaper column and 14 books have 
     provided spiritual counseling and personal enrichment to 
     millions of people.
       (5) Ruth and Billy Graham have been the driving force to 
     create the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center at 
     Memorial Mission Hospital in Asherville, North Carolina, 
     whose vision it is to improve the health and well-being of 
     children and to become a new resource for ending the pain and 
     suffering of children.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     are authorized to present, on behalf of the Congress, to 
     Billy and Ruth Graham a gold medal of appropriate design, in 
     recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions 
     toward faith, morality, and charity.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Gifts and Donations.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury may accept, 
     use, and disburse gifts or donations of property or money to 
     carry out this section.
       (2) No appropriation authorized.--No amount is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary of the Treasury may strike and sell 
     duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to 
     section 2 under such regulations as the Secretary may 
     prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, 
     including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
     overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.

     SEC. 4. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this 
     Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this 
     Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 5. TRANSFER OF ANY PROFIT TO LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

       The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer an amount 
     equal to the amount by which--
       (1) the sum of any gifts and donations received by the 
     Secretary in accordance with section 2(c)(2) and any proceeds 
     from the sale of duplicate medals under section 3, exceeds
       (2) the total amount of the costs incurred by the Secretary 
     in carrying out his Act,

     from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to the Library of 
     Congress.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware [Mr. Castle] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle].
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2657, the bill to award 
a congressional gold medal to Ruth and Billy Graham. Members on both 
sides of the aisle support H.R. 2657. Included on the list of 296 
cosponsors are Speaker Gingrich, Majority Leader Armey, and Majority 
Whip DeLay. Chairman Leach of the Banking Committee, Ranking Minority 
Member Gonzalez, and Representative Flake, ranking minority member of 
the subcommittee are also cosponsors.
  Throughout their lives Ruth and Billy Graham have made great 
contributions to American society. They are religious leaders and role 
models. Their commitment to each other and their marriage is something 
both rare and wonderful in today's society. Billy Graham's crusades, 
daily newspaper column, and books have helped millions of people in 
need. Ruth and Billy's support of the Children's Health Center in 
Asheville, NC is yet another example of their dedication to the health 
and well-being of our Nation's children.

[[Page H758]]

  H.R. 2657 complies with Banking Committee rules regarding the 
authorization of congressional gold medals. Although a committee markup 
was not held, a majority of both committee and subcommittee members are 
cosponsors. There is no opposition from Members of Congress or the U.S. 
Mint.
  The Memorial Mission Medical Center and its not-for-profit foundation 
have offered to cover the costs for designing and striking the medal, 
up to $25,000. The Congressional Budget Office reports a possible 
impact to the Federal budget of about $10,000, depending on sales of 
the duplicate medals. All donations and proceeds in excess of the cost 
of designing and striking the medal will be given to the Library of 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, because the U.S. Mint normally needs about 6 months to 
produce a congressional gold medal, and we hope to present this medal 
to the Graham's in the late spring, we need to move quickly to pass 
this bill. I urge the immediate adoption of H.R. 2657.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 2657 and join with the 
gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, because I believe that 
this represents for us an opportunity to say to the American people and 
to the world that it is important for persons to make commitments with 
their life that express the very best of what it means to be not only a 
citizen of this Nation, but a citizen of the world. No one has done 
that more effectively than Billy Graham, with Mrs. Ruth Graham, who 
stands beside him as the First Lady.
  As they have moved throughout the world, persons have been moved to 
levels of commitment that perhaps would never have happened. We talk 
about salvation often, but many times it is nothing more than 
theoretical language. For the Grahams it is much more than that. It has 
been a reflection of not only their faith commitment; it has been a 
reflection of a faith commitment that is deep down within their hearts, 
given to them by virtue of their calling as religious leaders.
  Truly in a world like the one in which we live, to find a person who 
has been available to every President, who has been available to even 
the lowest of persons, the many thousands who have gathered in 
auditoriums and in stadiums throughout this Nation, to the many who 
have come up from all around the world and found their hope in the 
message of this great and sainted leader, we take time out today to 
honor them through this gold medal.
  It is more appropriate when you consider that one who follows the 
teachings of the Bible would readily associate Billy Graham with the 
Apostle Paul, for indeed the missions he has carried out throughout 
this world have been those that have been productive to so many people, 
have changed so many people's lives, have caused them to feel there is 
a reason for living, have given them hope that today is not their last 
day, but there is hope for their tomorrows.
  Over and over again he has been able to come in moments when he did 
not feel physically able to give a message, and yet to give one. When 
there have been times when this Nation has been at its very worst, he 
has been able to raise us to levels of thinking about not only 
ourselves, but thinking about matters which are greater than us. He 
moved from one place to the other, one journey after another, 
proclaiming the gospel, proclaiming the good news, letting the world 
know that in the midst of all that is bad, there is yet much to live 
for, there is yet much to hope for.
  I am pleased as the ranking member of this subcommittee to have this 
opportunity to honor another cleric. As one who has been in the 
ministry since the age of 15 myself, I know the arduous task and the 
responsibility that is placed on one who assumes this level of 
commitment that drives them to go well beyond what they could 
ordinarily do as human beings without their special touch of God.
  For a man who is anointed, for a man who knows he has been called to 
do a special work, for a woman who knows that her calling beside him is 
one to lift the hopes and aspirations of people throughout this world, 
regardless of race, regardless of color or gender, we are pleased this 
day to join with the committee in supporting H.R. 2657, asking all of 
our Members of this House to join with us in a resounding support for 
this particular piece of legislation, because it gives us an 
opportunity to look beyond whatever it is that separates us, whatever 
it is that causes us to participate in most instances in partisan 
fashion, to respond in a way that says this is a man and a woman that 
deserve the best of us for they have given their best to all of us.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time in the hopes 
that all of our colleagues will join with us in support of this 
legislation.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Taylor], the primary sponsor of this legislation.
  (Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the 
chairman for giving me this time, and I also want to thank the ranking 
minority Member for the eloquent remarks he made about Reverend and 
Mrs. Graham.
   Mr. Speaker, in sponsoring this legislation and talking to various 
Members to cosponsor, there was no problem in getting hundreds of 
Members of this House, all of whom had separate and individual reasons 
for endorsing this legislation.
  As one of the most revered evangelical leaders in modern history, 
Billy Graham has helped the less fortunate and prescribed the need for 
a moral society. He has been spiritual adviser and confidant to 10 
Presidents. Over 100 million people have come to see Billy Graham at 
crusades, 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 reared in Charlotte, NC, and upon finishing seminary 
began preaching his message in Tampa, FL. He now has 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 gold 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 and the Billy 
Graham Evangelical Association, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, have 
become beacons of spirituality for people 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 the commitment to 
their family, each other, and God.
  The other side of Billy Graham is the humanitarian and champion of 
the disadvantaged. He 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 aided refugees fleeing political 
oppression.
  Reverend Graham was also deeply involved in the fight for racial 
equality in the South. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., declared, and I 
quote, ``that had it not been for the ministry of Billy Graham, 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 has led him to be the great man that he has become today. 
It is fitting for this Congress to honor both Reverend Graham and his 
wife, who has been by his side. His son, Franklin Graham, who heads the 
Samaritan Purse, and is now moving into his father's ministry, has 
carried on works for many years helping the poor, helping disadvantaged 
around the world.
  Most recently, the Grahams have devoted themselves to the 
establishment of the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center at 
Memorial Mission in Asheville, NC. They share the vision of this new 
center in its efforts to improve the health and well-being of 

[[Page H759]]
the children of the 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 
session of this Congress, and I take pride in being one of the many 
cosponsors of this legislation.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega].
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and my colleague 
from New York for this time; and also the chief sponsor of the 
legislation, the gentleman from Delaware.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to give special 
recognition by the Congress to the Reverend and Mrs. Billy Graham, who 
over the course of some 60 years, have provided comfort and support for 
the spiritual needs of millions of men, women, and children throughout 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, the Reverend Billy Graham, in my humble opinion, is 
perhaps the greatest Christian evangelist of this century. His 
spiritual messages were universal, in that they touched the hearts and 
minds of every human being who has been influenced by his demeanor, his 
example, and, most important of all by the giving of his life to serve 
the needs of others. That is pure Christianity in every way.
  Again, I commend my good friend from New York and the gentleman from 
Delaware for sponsoring this legislation.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Heineman], another distinguished Member of the 
House.
  (Mr. HEINEMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HEINEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2657, legislation which commissions a Congressional Gold Medal to be 
awarded to Billy Graham and his wife Ruth. I am proud to be an original 
co-sponsor of this legislation. H.R. 2657 honors Billy and Ruth 
Graham's years of service towards morality, racial equality, family, 
charity and religion.
  The Reverend Billy Graham was raised in North Carolina and has been a 
great spiritual leader, not only for the United States, but for the 
rest of the world. He has dedicated his life crusading against 
homelessness, racism, and hunger while helping spread spiritual and 
moral values to those willing to listen. Billy and Ruth Graham have 
positively affected the lives of millions throughout the world. In 
today's society, it is rare to find such undying dedication and 
devotion to one's beliefs.
  Rev. Graham has used the media to help spread his message of hope to 
billions of people. Billy and Ruth Graham's faith in God has helped 
them in their fight to aid the disadvantaged and less fortunate. It is 
only right that this Congress honor the Reverend Billy Graham and his 
wife Ruth with the Congressional Gold Medal.
  I'd like the Record to indicate that this Member of Congress attended 
the Billy Graham Crusade in 1957 at the Polo Grounds in the Bronx, NY. 
Although the site no longer exists, the vestiges of that experience 
still live within me.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and vote 
for the legislation, and I also compliment the gentleman from North 
Carolina, Congressman Charles Taylor, for his initiative; and the 
gentleman from Delaware, Congressman Mike Castle, for sponsoring this 
bill.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Burr], yet another distinguished Member.
  Mr. BURR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring two 
outstanding Americans and fellow North Carolinians. Throughout their 
lives, Ruth and Billy Graham have exemplified the highest goals our 
country holds dear, and as a result, they have left a lasting 
impression not only on the people they touch individually, but on our 
Nation as a whole.
  Most people first encountered Rev. Graham through his many crusades. 
Through this vehicle, he has reached over 100 million people in person 
and over 2 billion people throughout the world in his television 
audiences spreading his message of hope. Rev. Graham's achievements, 
however, go much deeper than his accomplishments as a religious leader. 
He and his wife are also leaders in promoting education, charity, and 
the importance of family. They were the driving force in creating the 
Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center at Memorial Mission 
Hospital in Asheville, NC. This facility provides comfort and care to 
the most helpless members of society--our children. And, finally, Rev. 
and Mrs. Graham have served us as leaders--leaders by example. If we 
would all dedicate ourselves to just a fraction of the unselfish 
endeavors of these two people, the world would be a much better place.
  Mr. Speaker, in this Olympic year, when we honor our best athletes 
with gold medals for achievements on the field, it is fitting that we 
honor these two outstanding individuals with a gold medal for their 
outstanding achievements in a much more difficult arena--life. So, for 
myself, my colleagues in this House, and for our Nation, I say thank 
you, Ruth and Billy Graham.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
say that there was one other person who clearly wanted to speak, and 
there are two others who have contacted us that they are trying to get 
here, but they are not presently with us.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Stockman].
  Mr. STOCKMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for allowing me this 
opportunity to speak on behalf of what, in my personal life, has meant 
more to me than anything else, and that is my faith.
  As I was growing up and watching throughout my history, I watched 
Rev. Billy Graham as he portrayed what I think was good in everything 
in life. And now as we get older and we look and reflect upon our 
lives, today I have to tell you I still reflect upon Billy Graham.
  Billy Graham has meant a lot to me personally in influencing my life 
and my goals, and I cannot think of anybody better that we dedicate 
this medal to than to Dr. Graham and his wife Ruth.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I think this one man 
has meant more to more people than anyone else in the world. As he goes 
and travels, he is respected by leaders and government officials and 
that without Mr. Graham, we would not have, I think, some of the moral 
principles that we have in this Nation today.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
  As one who has traveled to various seminaries throughout this land, 
periodically speaking to those young ministers who are in training, I 
want to take this opportunity to just say a word, and that is a word to 
encourage them to look at the ministry of Billy Graham as a model by 
which they might be able to emulate and replicate, because I think it 
indicates the kind of commitment that is necessary when one feels the 
authority of God that has called and anointed them to do the special 
work.
  And it is special work that can only be done by a calling. The Bible 
tells us that many are called, but few are chosen. Truly, Billy Graham 
and Ruth Graham represent they who have been chosen of the Lord and who 
understand what it means to make the fullest of commitments, understand 
what it means when the Bible talks about bearing our crosses daily and 
denying one's self. For truly his ministry indicates that regardless of 
one's training, one has to have a real sense about what it is the Lord 
wants him to do and where the Lord wants it done.
  The commission of the Lord commands that we go into all nations and 
baptize and teach and reach all of those who have not been reached and 
bring them into the family of the faithful. I tend to believe that this 
Nation will be a better place because of Billy Graham and Ruth Graham, 
but more importantly those young men and women who are in training in 
seminaries, as they look at this model, as they make the same kind of 
commitment, as they 

[[Page H760]]
understand that their faith commitment should drive them to never 
having to feel that they have to be of the world, but rather that they 
can be in it, but live beyond it as it relates to how they maintain 
themselves morally and spiritually. Billy Graham has shown us all of 
that.
  I would hope that his model is one, as he nears the sunset of his 
life, that there will be someone who will pick up that mantel and will 
go forth into the world making the same kind of proclamations without 
fear of trembling, but understand, as we say in that song, to be on the 
battlefield for the Lord, and to do so with the kind of courageousness 
that will not allow them to be able to turn around.
  We can change families, we can change the quality of life for people 
in this Nation, we can change the quality of life for people in the 
world. More of us have to be on the battlefield and believe this is a 
battle that we cannot afford to lose.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I will be very brief and then yield back the balance of the time.
  Mr. Speaker, as a layperson and one who is not involved in the clergy 
as the distinguished ranking member is, and without being as eloquent 
as he is on the subject, it is wonderful to admire from afar and from 
television, an individual and a couple who have lived the way we would 
like the heroes of America to live.
  Mr. Speaker, so often we see people, individuals who are flawed in 
all walks of life and we make them our role models and somehow they 
fall. This is a couple that not only is not going to fall, but has 
risen from pedestal to pedestal and we admire them greatly. This coin 
that we are dedicating today is well earned.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of those who were able to come 
to the floor and speak. I would remind those who were not able to, that 
they could submit statements at the end.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, to the gentleman from Delaware, chairman of 
the subcommittee, I say thank you. This is a glorious day for both of 
us. I think the way we work together in our committee represents the 
essence of the kind of spirit that Billy Graham would hope all American 
citizens would be able to work together.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to work with the gentleman from Delaware and 
proud to have shared with him in the sponsorship of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and hope that our 
Members will join with us, not only in trying to work together the way 
we do, but also in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Flake], our ranking member. I must say I do not think we have 
ever had a cross word in the over a year that we have worked together. 
Our legislation, as is most true in this particular bill today, is 
generally positively received. We are blessed in that way. Working with 
the gentleman from New York and his staff has been an extraordinary 
pleasure, and I look forward to the balance of our time together.
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the Ninth 
Congressional District I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute 
to our hometown hero, Dr. Billy Graham. I have been friends with Dr. 
and Mrs. Graham for many years, and it is a privilege to know people of 
such high moral fortitude and devotion to principle.
  Dr. and Mrs. Graham have traveled the world in the advancement of a 
message of hope, a message that has reached the ears and hearts of 
millions of people. Those who have known the Graham family have been 
enriched not only by their words, but by the living example their daily 
walk in life has set for us. Their endless devotion to the advancement 
of a simple, yet profound message has truly changed the lives of 
millions of people around the globe.
  I can think of no better recipients of this award than the Reverend 
and Mrs. Billy Graham. May this award serve as a small token of 
appreciation for their lifetime of service.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. White). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2657.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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