[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E233-E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S PASTOR AND GOD'S MAN--BILLY GRAHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Paul wrote in the book of Galatians 
``But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the 
world.'' This was Billy Graham's favorite bible verse. He chose only to 
boast in humility, sacrifice, and the cross of Christ. He was America's 
Pastor, who lived his life to bring the lost and hurting to Christ. 
Today, as his body lies in honor, inside the Capitol's Rotunda, I am 
proud to pay tribute to long time famed evangelist, Billy Graham.
  On a dairy farm located outside Charlotte, North Carolina, Billy 
Graham was born November 7, 1918. He grew up like most rural 1920s 
American children. He was raised in a colonial-style house with indoor 
plumbing. He lived a quiet country life where he helped work the farm, 
played baseball, and went to church on most Sundays.
  In 1934, at the age of 16, he was saved during a revival meeting led 
by Dr. Mordecai Ham. After high school, he moved to Tennessee and 
enrolled in a small Christian school, Bob Jones College, for half a 
semester before leaving. He found the school too strict. He transferred 
to Florida Bible Institute where he continued his education and 
prepared himself for his future ministry. He soon felt called to 
preach.
  In Florida, he joined a Southern Baptist Convention church, and was 
ordained to preach in 1939. He began preaching at small churches and 
revival meetings. He graduated with a bachelor's in theology and 
decided to further his spiritual training at Wheaton College in 
Illinois.
  With a deep faith in God, 21 year old Graham arrived at Wheaton 
College in 1940 as a tall, gentle man with a booming voice whose one 
goal was to preach the gospel. Here he met his future wife, Ruth Bell. 
Ruth, the daughter of medical missionaries, was raised in China. She 
prayed that God would let her live out her life as a missionary. God 
gave her Billy Graham. After graduating with a bachelor's in 
anthropology, Graham married Bell on August 13, 1943 in the Blue Ridge 
Mountains of North Carolina. ``There would have been no Billy Graham . 
. . had it not been for Ruth,'' said the late T. W. Wilson. She was his 
anchor and advisor for over 63 years.
  Graham discovered God's call was to lead others to Christ by becoming 
an evangelist. He first made national attention during his Los Angeles 
Crusade in fall 1949. Under a white tent, 30 year old Graham preached 
over 65 sermons to more than 350,000 people. Overnight, he became a 
household name.
  The Billy Graham Crusades were heard all over our world between 1947 
and 2005. He filled large arenas and stadiums across our country with a 
focus of bringing people to Christ. Long before churches were ready for 
racial integration, he integrated his crusades. His Crusades made it to 
my neck of the woods three times: in 1952, 1965 and 1981. In 1952, half 
million Texans came out to hear Graham preach. Roy Rogers and Dale 
Evans gave their testimony, too. The brand new Astrodome opened its 
doors for 10 days to Graham in 1965. Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird 
Johnson attended. At 63 years old, Graham preached at Rice Stadium in 
1981.
  The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was founded in 1950. It was 
made up of a core team who created the ``Modesto Manifesto,'' a 
covenant to ensure the integrity of his ministry. Millions more could 
now hear him on the radio and see him on TV. Graham understood the 
power of the media. He also became one of the world's best-selling 
authors. He became a world evangelist called to spread the good news.
  Graham was called the Pastor to our Presidents. He met with all post 
war Presidents up to Obama. Our country called on him in times

[[Page E234]]

of celebration and tragedy. He delivered invocations at presidential 
inaugurations. He preached at the Washington National Cathedral, three 
days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His message gave hope and 
healing to a shocked nation. At the age of 77, he jointly received the 
Congressional Gold Medal in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol with his 
wife, Ruth.
  Ruth passed away in the summer of 2007 at their home in Montreat, 
North Carolina. They had five children: Gigi, Anne, Ruth, Franklin and 
Ned. They had 19 grandchildren. They are all involved in the ministry. 
In his later years, Graham was asked if he has any regrets. He replied, 
``although I have much to be grateful for as I look back over my life, 
I also have many regrets. I have failed many times, and I would do many 
things differently. For one thing, I would speak less and study more, 
and I would spend more time with my family.''
  At his 95th birthday celebration, Graham delivered his last message. 
He recorded a video that featured clips from his home in Montreat, 
North Carolina. His message was delivered in a quieter voice but 
provided a powerful message. He expressed concern for our nation, ``Our 
country's in great need of a spiritual awakening,'' he declared. 
``There have been times that I've wept as I've gone from city to city 
and I've seen how far people have wandered from God.''
  Today, I honor the life of Billy Graham and his ministries that have 
touched millions of people worldwide. There can never be another Billy 
Graham. God used a farm boy with a gentle heart to preach his truth.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________