WASHINGTON – North Carolina Senate President pro-tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham County) today named Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) to the committee that will work to place a statue of Dr. Billy Graham in the U.S. Capitol.
“Dr. Billy Graham was tremendously humble, so he would likely suggest that we honor someone else,” said Congressman Pittenger. “However, I can think of no American who did more to positively impact lives and communities around the world. We will not honor Dr. Graham because he was famous. We will honor Dr. Graham because of his worldwide impact and faithfulness to the mission God gave to him.”
Congressman Pittenger will serve on the Statuary Hall Selection Committee with Dr. David Bruce (longtime executive assistant to Dr. Graham), Mr. Clarence Henderson (past chair of the N.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission), and the Honorable Dan Soucek (sponsor of legislation recommending Graham’s statue be placed in the Capitol).
North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore (R-Cleveland County) will appoint three additional members.
“Billy Graham’s faith and ministry inspired not just countless North Carolinians, but millions around the globe, and I can think of no better representative for our state in Statuary Hall,” said Senator Berger. “Each of these members has a deep, personal appreciation of Rev. Graham’s contributions to our state, and I thank them for their willingness to help realize this tribute to one of North Carolina’s favorite sons.”
Congressman Pittenger first met Dr. Graham while serving as his caddy at a charity golf event in 1971. Over the years, Congressman Pittenger has worked with both Billy and Franklin Graham on several ministry projects, and recently shared a memorial edition of Billy Graham’s Decision magazine with every Member of the U.S. House and Senate.
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