RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A proposal for North Carolina to place a statute of the Rev. Billy Graham inside the U.S. Capitol has received the final OK from the General Assembly.
The Senate voted unanimously Thursday after little debate for the measure asking a congressional committee to approve Graham’s likeness as one of the two the state contributes to the Capitol.
The 96-year-old evangelist grew up in Charlotte and lives in Montreat. He’s often near the top of most-admired lists and was the leading face of the evangelical movement during the late 20th century.
Graham’s statute would replace former Gov. Charles Aycock, whose ties to the white supremacy movement have recently tarnished his legacy.
The bill was approved by the House in April after extensive debate and now goes to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.
