[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.
____________________