RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 99; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham was an internationally renowned Christian evangelist and the loving husband of the late Ruth, nee Bell; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham was the much-adored father of five children and the grandfather of nineteen to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham was considered one of the most influential preachers of his time and a "pastor" and spiritual adviser to United States presidents; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham spent six decades on television hosting the annual Billy Graham Crusades which ran from 1947 until his retirement in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Born on his parents' dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina, the Reverend Billy Graham was of Scottish and Irish decent; and
WHEREAS, An ordained Baptist minister, the Reverend Billy Graham graduated from Florida Bible Institute and Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where he met his future wife; and
WHEREAS, From the beginning of his ministry, in 1947 the Reverend Billy Graham led more than 400 crusades in 185 countries and territories on six continents; and
WHEREAS, In 1950 The Reverend Billy Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association which includes ministry on television and radio and through publications; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham dedicated his life to promoting understanding between faiths and fostering in others the seeds of hope and redemption; and
WHEREAS, Among many honors, the Reverend Billy Graham was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award and the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion; and
WHEREAS, The faithfulness, sacrifice and dedication of the Reverend Billy Graham serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Billy Graham was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, the Reverend Billy Graham imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-eighth day of February, 2018, do hereby commemorate the Reverend Billy Graham for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and