What a phenomenal experience and profound honor. IEA founder and president, Dr. Billie Hanks Jr., and his wife Carolanne were invited to join the Graham family at the the unveiling of the statue of Billy Graham in Statuary Hall at our nation’s Capitol. Billie was the Graham Association’s first intern over 50 years ago, and the families have remained close for decades.

Here’s a portion of the words shared by Franklin Graham on this momentous occasion:
“It was such a privilege to be at the U.S. Capitol today for the unveiling of a statue of my father Billy Graham in National Statuary Hall. I told the guests that my father would have been a little uncomfortable with the statue because he would want the focus to be on the One that he preached about — the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Our family is honored that our earthly father will be there in the nation’s Capitol, pointing future generations to our Heavenly Father.”

Engraved in the open Bible in the statue’s right hand is Galatians 6:14, a verse that my father had underlined in red in his personal Bible: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Also engraved on the base for everyone who tours the Capitol to see are:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
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“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ “ – John 14:6


