[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE STATUE UNVEILING OF THE REVEREND WILLIAM FRANKLIN 
                         ``BILLY'' GRAHAM, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, for the first time since 1932, North 
Carolina will receive a new statue representing our State in the U.S. 
Capitol tomorrow.
  The late Reverend Billy Graham, Jr., was a very cherished Christian 
leader and an exemplary North Carolinian. I am proud to welcome him 
into the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection.
  Born on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina, Reverend Graham 
came from humble beginnings. He grew up learning the value of hard work 
and developed an unwavering commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus 
Christ.
  Through his ministry, he would go on to reach more than 200 million 
people in 185 countries, and many of those who heard his message 
accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. I have no doubt he led millions to 
Christ, securing their salvation.
  Known as America's pastor, he is one of the few private citizens to 
receive three of the highest honors that are bestowed by Congress: the 
Congressional Gold Medal in 1996, lying in honor in the U.S. Capitol 
Rotunda in 2018, and now a statue placed in the U.S. Capitol Building.
  Created by Charlotte-based artist Chas Fagan, the statue depicts 
Reverend Graham pointing to an open Bible. Inscribed on the pedestal of 
the 7-foot statue will be the verse so foundational, John 3:16. This 
well-known Scripture tells us: ``For God so loved the world that He 
gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not 
perish but have eternal life.''
  At a time when America could use a spiritual revival like never 
before, how refreshing and great it is that we are enshrining this 
verse and Reverend Graham's legacy of faith within the Halls of 
Congress.
  As noted in his 2011 book, ``Nearing Home,'' Billy Graham wrote: 
``The greatest legacy you can pass on to your children and 
grandchildren is not your money or the other material things you have 
accumulated in life. The greatest legacy you can pass on to them is the 
legacy of your character and your faith. . . . Why is faith our 
greatest legacy? Because the memory of what we were like--not just our 
personalities but our character and our faith--has the potential to 
influence others for Christ.''
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Graham dedicated his life to proclaiming the 
Gospel throughout the world and, I might add, in places and countries 
that were and in many that still are hostile to Christianity. I am 
proud that countless visitors and lawmakers will now be able to honor 
his legacy and message for generations to come in the U.S. Capitol.


                           Magic of the Pack

  Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight, honor, and 
celebrate the NC State University men's and women's basketball teams. 
Both reached the Final Four of their respective NCAA Division 1 
basketball tournaments this past month of April, registering a historic 
achievement that few schools have ever achieved.

                              {time}  1030

  The NC State women's team led by Coach Wes Moore displayed strength 
all year with a 31-7 overall record, including 9 wins over AP Top 25 
teams while earning their first Final Four appearance since 1998. They 
had statement wins in the tournament against Chattanooga, Tennessee, 
Stanford, and Texas. Junior guard, Aziaha James, was the leader of the 
Pack with blistering accuracy from three-point range.
  Not to be outdone, the men's basketball team won the school's 11th 
ACC Tournament championship. The Wolfpack, led by Coach Kevin Keatts 
clenched an 84-76 victory against incredibly talented UNC-Chapel Hill, 
becoming the first ACC team to win 5 games in 5 days, securing their 
spot in the NCAA Tournament, and launching them to their first Final 
Four appearance since the magical championship run of the 1983 NC State 
team.
  This team's collective skill, dedication to each other, and the team 
chemistry they solidified in the ACC Tournament enabled the Wolfpack to 
keep advancing, reeling off wins against Texas Tech, Oakland, 
Marquette, and Duke. With each round of the NCAA Tournament, the 
Wolfpack continued to excel and win.
  As an NC State alumnus, it is with great pride that I join so many in 
celebrating these two teams and their accomplishments. Only a select 
few universities can say that both of their basketball teams made the 
Final Four in their respective tournaments in the same year. Both 
teams, as well as the individual players, will be long remembered. 
Their legacy is now etched in NC State basketball lore.

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