The late Senator Lindsey Graham honored at U.S. Capitol, Washington National Cathedral
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WOLO) — Tuesday afternoon, the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was honored with a special remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol followed by a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral.
Senator Graham died at the age of 71 on July 11th after serving in the U.S. Senate for over 23 years.
The hearse carrying his body arrived at the Capitol Tuesday morning, with many friends, family members, and former staff gathering in the rotunda to say goodbye and celebrate their former colleague and loved one — including his sister, now Senator Darline Graham.
Wreaths representing condolences from the Executive Branch, the Senate, and the House were placed by Senator Graham’s casket with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Vice President JD Vance taking part.
“I remember Lindsey Graham as a man who loved people, and because he loved people, he was willing to reason with them, to respect them, and ultimately to persuade them,” says Vance.
Graham’s remains were then moved from the Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service.
Dignitaries in attendance included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodmir Zelenskyy.
Remarks were given by Fox News host Sean Hannity, Graham’s niece Emillie Boggs Roberts, Reverend Franklin Graham, and President Donald Trump.
“Today we gather in the deepest gratitude and the profoundest sorrow to honor a beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original who left us much too soon,” says President Trump, adding, “Lindsey rose from a small town in rural SC, a place he loved so much, to become a constant fixture of American politics at the highest level.”
Trump also joked about his rocky start with Senator Graham, recalling their presidential run against each other in 2016. Trump said he gave out Graham’s personal cell phone number to millions of people during one of the debates. “I still recall the number,” says Trump before calling it out again.
Graham was born in upstate South Carolina in the town of Central on July 9th, 1955 — passing away just two days after his 71st birthday.
