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Trump, Top Lawmakers Pay Tribute To Billy Graham As He Lies In Honor

As Graham's casket lay in honor at the U.S. Capitol, President Donald Trump paid his respects to the evangelist.
Posted at 1:31 PM, Feb 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-28 13:31:48-05

President Donald Trump and other high-profile lawmakers gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to pay their respects to the late Rev. Billy Graham.

"Billy Graham carried his message around the world. But his heart — as Franklin will tell you — was always in America," Trump said.

As Graham's casket lay in honor in the building's rotunda, Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave brief speeches to commemorate the evangelist.

The honor is extremely rare. It usually goes to presidents and members of Congress: In those cases, it's technically called lying in state. Graham is only the fourth private citizen to receive it.

Graham died last week at the age of 99. His funeral is Friday in North Carolina.