Gov. McCrory names Billy Graham “North Carolina’s favorite son”

From the office of the governor:

Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory joined members of the General Assembly today to honor the Reverend Billy Graham. State lawmakers passed a resolution in honor of the reverend this afternoon.

In anticipation of the resolution, Governor McCrory presented the reverend with a proclamation declaring him “North Carolina’s Favorite Son.” The governor visited the Graham family during a trip to Western North Carolina on March 1, 2013.

The proclamation is as follows:

WHEREAS, in recognition of a great American, the State of North Carolina is proud to honor the Reverend Billy Graham; and

WHEREAS, William Franklin Graham, Jr. was born on November 7, 1918 and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Billy Graham was ordained in 1939 by the Southern Baptist Convention, and from the beginning, his commitment and faith impacted the lives of other; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Graham ministered young people and military personnel and after World War II preached throughout the United States and Europe and attained international prominence as an evangelist through a series of crusades that began in 1949; and

WHEREAS, since 1950, Reverend Graham has conducted his ministry through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and has preached to audiences of nearly 215 million in more than 185 countries and territories and has reached an estimated 2.2 billion people through television and technology; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Billy Graham is a renowned humanitarian, his compassion has been extended to the victims of disaster across the globe with assistance of food, clothing and hope; and

WHEREAS, for the impact he has made on our state, nation and across the globe, Reverend Billy Graham has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Big Brother of the Year and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Billy Graham has counseled twelve presidents, multiple world leaders, and has been listed as one of the Ten Most Admired Men in the World 56 times; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Billy Graham has helped guide our nation spiritually for generations; his leadership, compassion and faith in mankind has inspired and enriched the lives of many, and the State of North Carolina is proud that he calls our state home;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAT McCRORY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim the REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM, as a “THE FAVORITE SON” of North Carolina, and commend this observance to all citizens.