The late Rev Billy Graham’s remains now lie in honour at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after spending the last 2 days lying in repose at the Billy Graham Library in his hometown in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This makes the world-renowned Evangelist the 4th private citizen to be granted the rare honour only reserved for the nation’s most imminent citizens.
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From the Billy Graham Library, the late Reverend and Evangelist From a tent in Los Angeles He will lie in honour in the Rotunda on Wednesday and Thursday before his final burial on Friday.
Family members of the late Rev. Billy Graham carry his coffin into the Billy Graham Library where he lay in repose for 2 days on Monday and Tuesday. Credit: Billy Graham Organization
When U.S. Congress granted the late Rev. Graham the nation’s greatest distinction to lie in honour in the Rotunda, they followed in the tradition started by Kentucky congressman Henry Clay in 1852, to pay tribute to the nation’s non-elected, most distinguished citizens.
Rev. Billy Grahamm’s coffin is removed from the hearse at the U.S. Capitol to lie in honour inside at the Rotunda on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Credit: Getty Images
This also makes “America’s Pastor” and the Evangelist the first Religious Leader to be accorded that honour and respect.
The Rotunda has long been considered the most prominent place to pay final respect to the nation’s most eminent citizens like Presidents and elected members.
President Donald Trump paying his respect to “America’s Pastor” and Evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, 28 February 2018. Credit: The New York Times
12 former Presidents including Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower lay in state in the nation’s Capitol Rotunda including former military Generals like George Dewey, Douglas McArthur and John Pershing.
Rev. Bill Graham was a world-renowned Evangelist and “America’s Pastor”. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The four non-elected, private citizens to lie in honour at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda are the late Evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham, Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005 and two former U.S. Capitol Police Officers who died in the line of duty in 1998.
Other non-elected officials who have lain “in state” include former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover in 1972 and Pierre L’Enfant, a French Engineer and Urban Development planner who planned Washington D.C.
Difference Between “Lying In State” And “Lying In Honour”
Rev. Billy Graham’s coffin lying in honour at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, 28 February, 2018, Washington DC. Credit: Reuters
The difference between “lying in honour” and “lying in state” is only in the language used otherwise the honours are essentially the same.
The honour of “Lying in State” is usually reserved for deceased Presidents and other elected officials whereas “Lying in Honour” applies to non-elected individuals who were outstanding private citizens to be accorded such a rare honour.
Members of Rev. Billy Graham’s coffin at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda surrounded by members of his family, the President and U.S. lawmarkers on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Credit: The New York Times
There are also differences in the ceremonies for each category. The “lying in state” ceremonies usually for Presidents are accompanied by full Military Honours whereas the latter, the “Lying in Honour” ceremony only has Capitol Police detail.
Evangelist Rev. Billy Graham died on February 21, 2018 at his home after a long battle with Parkinson’s, cancer and pneumonia. He was 99 years old. His funeral will be held on Friday in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
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