A HOUSE RESOLUTION commending billy graham, RENOWNED humanitarian, PHILANTHROPIST, and great north carolinian.
Whereas, there have been many great North Carolinians, but few have impacted the world more than Billy Graham; and
Whereas, Billy Graham was born William Franklin Graham, Jr. to William Franklin Graham and Morrow Coffey Graham on a dairy farm in Charlotte; and
Whereas, Billy Graham was ordained to the ministry in 1939 and thereafter served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois, from 1943 to 1945, as a member of Youth for Christ International, where he ministered to young people and military personnel, from 1945 to 1950, and as President of Northwestern Schools, a liberal arts college, Bible school, and theological seminary, from 1947 to 1952; and
Whereas, after World War II, Billy Graham attained international prominence through a series of crusades that began in 1949; and
Whereas, since 1950, Billy Graham has conducted his ministry by means of a weekly radio program, "Hour of Decision"; a newspaper column, "My Answer"; televised crusades; articles published in "Decision" magazine; and films produced and distributed by World Wide Pictures; and
Whereas, over the years, Billy Graham has preached to live audiences of over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories; and
Whereas, a renowned humanitarian and philanthropist, Billy Graham has tried to help those in need through his work with the World Emergency Relief Fund, which gives financial assistance to disaster victims, and the BGEA Love in Action committees, which collect and distribute food and clothing internationally; and
Whereas, Billy Graham has received numerous awards and honorary degrees, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996, the North Carolina Award for Public Service in 1986, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983; and
Whereas, Billy Graham received the Big Brother of the Year Award in 1966 for his work on behalf of the welfare of children and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award in 2000 for monumental and lasting contributions to the cause of freedom; and
Whereas, Billy Graham was cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute for his contributions to race relations in 1964 and was recognized by the Anti‑Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith and the National Conference of Christians and Jews for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths; and
Whereas, Billy Graham has counseled and advised presidents and world leaders and has participated in many historic occasions, such as the tearing down of the Berlin Wall; and
Whereas, Billy Graham has opposed racial discrimination and, in the 1950s and 1960s, never held a segregated meeting but conducted fully integrated crusades; and
Whereas, Billy Graham has written 18 books, all of which have become best sellers, including his latest book, "Just As I Am," an autobiography published in 1997; and
Whereas, Billy Graham has been named one of Gallup Poll's list of the "Ten Most Admired Men in the World" for an unprecedented 43 times, 36 of which have been in consecutive years; and
Whereas, Billy Graham continues to inspire the world with his good works; and
Whereas, Billy Graham is proud to call himself a Tar Heel and to make North Carolina his home; and
Whereas, Governor Michael F. Easley issued a proclamation on October 29, 2002, during the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Billy Graham Association corporate headquarters in the City of Charlotte honoring Billy Graham and commending him for his many accomplishments; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The North Carolina House of Representatives commends Billy Graham, renowned humanitarian, philanthropist, and great North Carolinian, for all of his good works and his many accomplishments.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Billy Graham.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.