(Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Thousands of Christians have signed an online petition calling for a national holiday in honor of the late Rev. Billy Graham.
The Change.org petition, started six days ago by user Kyle Siler, had more than 103,000 signatures as of Wednesday (March 7, 2018) and is addressed to President Donald Trump, as well as North Carolina Sens. Thom Tillis, Richard Burr and Jerry Tillman.
In the petition’s description, Graham’s lasting impact on people all over the world is highlighted:
“Lets get a National Holiday for Billy Graham!! Mr. Graham preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history—nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories—through various meetings, including Mission World and Global Mission. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts.
“Mr. Graham’s counsel was sought by presidents, and his appeal in both the secular and religious arenas is evidenced by the wide range of groups that have honored him, including numerous honorary doctorates from many institutions in the U.S. and abroad. Help us with our cause of setting a national holiday to remember this great man.”
The 41-year-old Siler never attended any of Graham’s crusades but his grandfather was a follower of Graham, The News & Observer reports, according to CBN News.
Siler told the news outlet that when his grandfather passed last February he found a collection of recordings and books on Graham. He said he would like to establish the holiday in honor of Graham and his grandfather.
He added that if he gets more than 100,000 signatures in 30 days he will notify President Trump, Congress, and his state representatives to consider making Billy Graham Day a national holiday.
Graham was laid to rest Friday next to his beloved wife, Ruth, at the library that bears his name in west Charlotte. Thousands came to pay their final respects, including President Donald Trump and other dignitaries from around the world.
