[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important 
milestone in the historic ministry of the Reverend Billy Graham. On 
Thursday, May 31, 1,500 of Reverend Graham's friends gathered for the 
dedication of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. 
Among those friends were all three of our living former Presidents. 
Reverend Graham's ministry has touched more people in this world than 
could ever be able to attend such a dedication.
  I am honored to have Reverend and Mrs. Graham as two of my 
constituents in Western North Carolina. The Grahams moved to Montreat 
many decades ago, and have made an indelible mark on the area. I have 
the utmost respect for Reverend Graham.
  The newly dedicated Billy Graham Library is appropriately built in 
the shape of a barn, which no doubt reminds Reverend Graham of his 
childhood on a nearby dairy farm. When Billy Graham was born some 88 
years ago no one but God knew the influence he would have on the world.
  Billy Graham has ministered to hundreds of millions of people across 
the world, over 210 million of those contacts coming through the form 
of live audiences. Reverend Graham has ministered to Congressmen, 
celebrities, and heads of state. He has ministered to people without 
regard to their wealth, political affiliation, social status, or skin 
color; and he did it before such things were popular. Billy Graham has 
stood for what is right throughout his long career. He paid Reverend 
Martin Luther King's bail on numerous occasions, refused to speak in 
Little Rock while school segregation was being insisted upon by the 
state government, and he would not visit South Africa during Apartheid 
until The government would allow a desegregated audience.
  Reverend Graham commented at last week's dedication that ``I feel 
like I've been at my own funeral, listening to all these speeches. I 
feel terribly small and humbled by it all.'' That statement explains 
the character of Reverend Graham better than anything I can say.
  Madam Speaker, the legacy of Billy Graham will live on long after he 
is gone, and I am proud to congratulate him on the opening of this new 
library which will help to carry his legacy forward. Billy Graham has 
served his Lord for a lifetime, and it is an honor to serve Reverend 
Graham in the United States Congress. May God continue to bless Billy 
Graham.

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