A HOUSE RESOLUTION respectfully petitioning the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service and the Postmaster General of the United States to issue a commemorative STAMP honoring the reverend billy graham.
Whereas, William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr., was born on November 7, 1918, to William Franklin Graham and Morrow Coffey Graham and was reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Billy Graham attended the Florida Bible Institute from 1937 to 1940, graduating in 1940, and was ordained to the ministry in 1939; and
Whereas, Billy Graham served as pastor of The Village 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, Reverend Graham preached throughout the United States and Europe and attained international prominence as an evangelist through a series of crusades that began in 1949; and
Whereas, since 1950, Reverend Graham has conducted his ministry through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), reaching multitudes of people by means of a weekly radio program, "Hour of Decision"; a newspaper column, "My Answer"; televised crusades; articles published in "Decision" magazine; and evangelistic films produced and distributed by World Wide Pictures and now reaching millions through the BGEA Web site and the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte; and
Whereas, over the years, Reverend Graham has preached to live audiences of nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories and has preached to an estimated 2.2 billion people through television and technology; and
Whereas, Reverend Graham has been a renowned humanitarian and philanthropist, providing financial assistance to victims of disasters as well as collecting and distributing clothing to those in need all around the world over the years; and
Whereas, Reverend Graham has counseled 12 Presidents and has participated in nine presidential inaugurations; and
Whereas, Reverend Graham has also counseled world leaders and has participated in many historic occasions and has been called upon as the "nation's pastor" during times of national crisis. He spoke at the National Cathedral service in Washington, D.C., three days after the 9/11 attack in 2001, as the nation and world watched and listened. Five presidents, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford, and their wives were in the audience; and
Whereas, admired and beloved by both Christians and non‑Christians, Reverend Graham continues to inspire the world with his good works; and
Whereas, there have been many great North Carolinians, but few have impacted the world more than Billy Graham; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to honor the Reverend Billy Graham, one of America's most distinguished citizens, with a commemorative postage stamp; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives respectfully petitions the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service and the Postmaster General of the United States to issue a commemorative stamp honoring the Reverend Billy Graham.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee and the Postmaster General.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.