Nation/World

Trump and Congress pay tribute to the Rev. Billy Graham at the Capitol

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump hailed the Rev. Billy Graham as "an ambassador for Christ" who helped lift up the American spirit, speaking during a memorial service in the Capitol Rotunda to honor the pastor following his death at 99 last week.

Politicians and other well-wishers began gathering at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to Graham, whose body arrived for a daylong memorial before his funeral in North Carolina on Friday.

[Billy Graham, preacher to millions and adviser to presidents, dies at 99]

Trump laid a wreath at the coffin of Graham, whose global ministry included close relationships with presidents since Harry Truman. His legacy includes an outsize influence on the life of America by encouraging millions of evangelical Christians to be engaged in social and political activism.

"Today in the center of this great chamber lies legendary Billy Graham," Trump said in brief remarks, "an ambassador for Christ who reminded the world of the power of prayer and the gift of God's grace."

Trump added: "Today we say a prayer for our country, that all across this land, the Lord will raise up men and women like Billy Graham to spread a message of love and hope."

Cabinet officials, senators, House members and family members also gathered Wednesday morning to pay tribute. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, called Graham "a happy instrument in the hands of his creator" and called on the nation to remember him.

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"The secret of my work, he explained, is God," McConnell said of Graham. "I would be nothing without Him. That is what made Billy Graham America's pastor."

Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., said Graham repeatedly challenged the nation to look to God and to look within.

"In those moments, when we felt weak in spirit, when our country was on its knees, he reminded us, he convinced us that is exactly when we find our grace and our strength," Ryan said.

Graham joined an exclusive list of more than 30 Americans who have lain in state or in honor in the rotunda, including lawmakers, presidents, civil rights activists, law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, an FBI director, military commanders and the remains of unidentified soldiers from several of the nation's wars.

He became only the fourth private citizen to lie in honor at the Capitol, the first since Rosa Parks did so in 2005.

Though he was a counselor to many presidents throughout many decades, as he preached to packed stadiums and people watching on television around the world, Graham later eschewed the mixing of politics and religion, saying that he had "crossed the line."

That sentiment has prompted some to question whether he would have agreed with the decision to have his coffin lie in honor in the Capitol, which perhaps could be viewed as a celebration of the crossing the line that he no longer believed appropriate at the end of his life.

Trump recalled attending a Graham sermon at Yankee Stadium in New York, saying that his father, Fred Graham, was a fan of Graham's at the time.

"My father said to me, 'Come on, son,' and by the way he said, 'Come on, mom, let's go see Billy Graham at Yankee Stadium.' And it was something very special. But Americans came in droves to hear that great young preacher," the president said. "Fred Trump was a big fan. Fred Trump was my father."

Graham's coffin rests on a catafalque, a wooden stand, which was constructed by the architect of the Capitol for such ceremonies. Trump and congressional leaders are scheduled to make remarks and lay a wreath during the service. Members of the public will be allowed to file past the coffin starting later Wednesday.

Graham's coffin will remain in the Capitol rotunda until Thursday.

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