The state of North Carolina has unveiled a new statue in the Capitol’s Crypt, this one of famed evangelist Billy Graham. The moving statue, crafted by a North Carolinian artist, shows Graham cradling an open Bible and reflecting upon it. Inscribed at the base are the poignant verses, John 3:16 and John 14:6, encapsulating the essence of his life’s work.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced the statue in an early May press release, saying, “On Thursday, May 16, a statue of the late Rev. Billy Graham—representing the state of North Carolina—will be unveiled in the U.S. Capitol. The sculpture, created by Charlotte-based artist Chas Fagan, depicts Graham gesturing toward an open Bible in his hand. The seven-foot bronze statue stands on a pedestal engraved with verses from the Bible that highlight Graham’s lifelong commitment to sharing the Gospel.”
Continuing, the organization added, “Graham was named North Carolina’s “Favorite Son” by a unanimous vote of the state General Assembly in 2013. This set the stage for then-North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory to sign House Bill 540 in to law in 2015, which decreed that a statue of Graham would be commissioned to represent the state in the U.S. Capitol. The House Bill calling for the statue said, ‘There have been many great North Carolinians, but few have impacted the world more than Billy Graham.'”
Speaking on the heartwarming matter, Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham and the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, said, “This is a great honor and my father would be humbled and grateful.” He continued, “At the same time, he would not want the attention on himself but on God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Now, the statue has been placed and unveiled in the Crypt, where, along with statuary hall, states honor their greatest citizens. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, said, “He believed the Bible cover to cover. Our family is honored that our earthly father will be here in this Capitol pointing future generations to our heavenly father and his son the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Further, Franklin Graham, who is, like his father, an evangelist, and also president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said, “My father would have been uncomfortable… but I am grateful that the statue for years to come will be a reminder to future generations of God’s word.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, commenting on the statue’s unveiling, noted, “There are only four people in the history of our country who have received the three highest honors here.” He continued, “Those three honors are a Congressional Gold Medal, having lied in state upon their passing and having a statue here in the Capitol to be honored.” He added that the others are late Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
Featured image credit: By Paul M. Walsh – Billy and Franklin Graham, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4934708