Former Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain is lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Friday, an honor held by very few in the Senate.
In order to receive this high honor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke “in coordination with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi,” according to CNN, so the public would have an opportunity to pay their respects and honor his service as the senator of Arizona for 35 years.
The casket of U.S. Senator John McCain is carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., August 31, 2018. John McDonnell/Pool via REUTERS
The last senator to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol was Hawaii Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye in 2012. However, famous citizens who are not lawmakers have been laid in the Rotunda, but not in state — they are lain in honor. For example, Rev. Billy Graham was the last citizen to be lain in honor in the Capitol Rotunda and was honored by thousands in February.
“The nation mourns the loss of a great American patriot, a statesman who put his country first and enriched this institution through many years of service,” the statement said. “I appreciate my colleagues and the entire Senate and House family’s assistance with this honor.”
Cindy McCain, wife of late U.S. Senator John McCain, mourns at her husband’s casket during ceremonies honoring Senator McCain inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, August 31, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Following McCain’s service in Arizona, the senator was flown by the Arizona Air National Guard from Goldwater Air National Guard Base, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, where his body was be received by the Armed Forces Body Bearers. McCain’s body was then taken to lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Friday. (RELATED: McCain Will Be The 13th Senator To Lie In State In The Capitol Rotunda)
“The Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol has been considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lay in state (in the case of government officials and military officers) or in honor (in the case of private citizens),” the Architect of the Capitol’s (AOC) website states.
Mourners surround the casket of former Senator John McCain in the Capitol Rotunda where he will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 31, 2018. Kevin Dietsch/POOL Via REUTERS
The website also states that after the AOC receives permission, it coordinates teams around the Capitol to make sure the process is perfectly executed.
“Since 1865, most services have used the catafalque constructed for the coffin of Abraham Lincoln. These occasions are either authorized by a congressional resolution or approved by the congressional leadership, when permission is granted by survivors,” the statement continued. “When the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is notified that a ceremony will occur, teams are coordinated across the Capitol campus and a commitment to excellence ensures that no detail is overlooked.”
Hose Speaker Paul Ryan speaks as the late U.S. Senator John McCain lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, August 31, 2018. Morry Gash/Pool via REUTERS
From the Capitol, McCain will then have a national memorial service Saturday at the National Cathedral, and will be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday.
McCain is the 13th senator to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.
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