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Graham praised by Trump, politicians as 'America's pastor'

He felt stung by the politics that helped define his life -- and resolved to keep a distance. But in death, the Rev. Billy Graham on Wednesday received a rare tribute from the nation's top political leaders under the Capitol Rotunda.

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WASHINGTON — He felt stung by the politics that helped define his life and resolved to keep a distance. But in death, Billy Graham on Wednesday received a rare tribute from the nation's top political leaders at the U.S. Capitol.

"Here lies America's pastor," said House Speaker Paul Ryan, gesturing to Graham's casket under the eye of the dome, surrounded by family, friends, lawmakers and a ring of paintings of the nation's founders. "He ministered to all walks, from some of the greats whose statues line this hall – Eisenhower, King, Ford, and Reagan – to the everyday citizens lining up today to pay their respects."

"That is how he inspired countless life-changing conversions, not his great talents so much as his deep humility, his unwavering fidelity to faith and family, his plainspoken preaching of essential truths without ego or embellishment," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "Billy Graham lifted up our nation, not because he occupied the spotlight so masterfully but because he knew he wasn't the one who belonged in it."

Yet, President Donald Trump, who noted that his father was an admirer of Graham, said the "legendary" American figure deserved to be recognized in the place "where the memory of the American people is enshrined."

As the leaders stood by the casket, Trump reached out to touch the bare wood, and Ryan bowed his head.

Graham died a week ago at his home in the North Carolina mountains at age 99. Some 30 family members accompanied his casket to Washington, where he befriended presidents of both parties and counseled others over seven decades.

Graham's son, Franklin, tweeted a photo Wednesday of family members loading the casket onto a jet emblazoned with "Samaritan's Purse," the name of the Christian relief charity that he chairs.

Thousands of people filed past Graham's casket Wednesday, and thousands more are expected Thursday as he lies in honor at the Capitol before a funeral Friday near his home in Charlotte. The rotunda entrances were draped with black fabric, and Graham's casket rested on a black-draped catafalque beneath the soaring ceiling and its painting, the "Apotheosis of Washington."

"I'm at ease knowing that he is at a better place," said Holly Springs resident Kelly McIver, "at ease knowing he is back here in the Capitol where he visited multiple times and advised multiple presidents. Just having that is a treasure, a treasure to be here today."

"He explained the word of God in terms that everyone could understand," said Robert Boyette of Wilson.

Though he met every president since Harry Truman and counseled most, Graham grew wary of politics after Watergate. He was closest to Richard Nixon but later said he felt used by him.

Nonetheless, Graham ministered to other presidents until his health began to fail about 10 years ago.

Trump met Graham at the pastor's 95th birthday party in 2013 but is closer to Franklin Graham.

Former President Bill Clinton on Tuesday recalled seeing one of Graham's crusades as a child in Little Rock, Ark., a profound experience that became more amazing over his life. Graham counseled him as Arkansas governor, and later as president in the White House itself.

"In that little room, he was the same person I saw when I was 11 on that football field," Clinton said after viewing the casket at Graham's home.

Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, visited Graham's home on Monday to pay their respects.

In Washington, Ryan said there had been no doubt that Graham would receive the honor of a public viewing in the rotunda. He told reporters that almost immediately upon hearing of Graham's death that he, Trump, McConnell and North Carolina 10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry, who represents the Graham family's district, agreed it would happen.

Graham shares the honor with 11 presidents and other distinguished Americans, starting with Sen. Henry Clay of Kentucky in 1852 and, most recently, Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii in 2012, according to the House and the Architect of the Capitol.

Graham is only the fourth private person to lie in honor since 1998. The others are two U.S. Capitol Police officers who died in the line of duty in 1998 and civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005.

North Carolina's two U.S. senators, Republicans Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, secured passage of a joint resolution Wednesday honoring Graham's accomplishments, and both men spoke in admiration of him on the Senate floor.

"I have two very distinct memories with my father. One was watching Walter Cronkite, and the other was watching Billy Graham on the living room floor as he spoke the word of God," Tillis said. "The legacy Reverend Graham left behind will live on for generations, and I am proud to be the Senator from North Carolina, where he was born and resided."

"The country mourns the loss of Dr. Graham, but the country understands the impact of his life, that life as a servant of God to preach his word to everyone he could find," Burr said. "He exhausted the opportunities that were given to him and proudly affects generations that have yet to be born by the work that he did as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ."

On Friday, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to be among the 2,300 people attending Graham's funeral on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.

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