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Billy Graham to Lie in Honor at US Capitol, The First Private Citizen Since Rosa Parks

WASHINGTON — The Rev. Billy Graham will lie in honor in the US Capitol rotunda beginning next week, House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement on Thursda...
Billy Graham

WASHINGTON — The Rev. Billy Graham will lie in honor in the US Capitol rotunda beginning next week, House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement on Thursday.

The tradition of using the Capitol Rotunda to pay tribute to distinguished Americans began in 1852, but historically that honor has been given to military officers and elected officials who have “lain in state.” More recently, Congress has allowed pre-eminent citizens to “lie in honor.”

Graham will be the first private citizen accorded such recognition since civil rights hero Rosa Parks in 2005.

Graham, an evangelical minister and spiritual confidant to American presidents, died at the age of 99 on Wednesday.

In his statement, Ryan said Graham “spread the gospel in 185 countries during his 99 years on Earth, touching the lives of many and forever changing the course of the world’s spiritual health.”

Members of the public are invited to pay their respects while Graham lies in honor from Wednesday, February 28 through Thursday, March 1.

Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will take part in a service when Graham’s casket arrives at the Capitol.

The two have formally invited the Rev. Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, to the ceremony.

Graham’s private funeral will be held on Friday, March 2 at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

About 2,300 guests have been invited, including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and every living former president.

Graham will lie in repose in his childhood home, which was moved to Charlotte several years ago, on Monday, February 26 and Tuesday, February 27. The public will be invited to pay respects from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days.

The minister will be buried next to his wife, Ruth, on the property. His coffin, a plain, pine casket, was built by inmates at the Louisiana state prison.

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