More than the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter is remembered fondly as a compassionate leader and man of peace.
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian,” President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement, referring to the passing of Former President Jimmy Carter.
The statement continues with, “Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.
With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.
We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts.
To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy.”
Honoring A Great American
“And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning–the good life–study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people–decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.
To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country.”
In an Instagram post, Former President Barack Obama paid his tribute, “President Carter taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man.”
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Leading With Compassion
James Earl Carter, Jr. was born in Plains, Georgia on October 1, 1924. In 1946, he graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and married Rosalyn Smith, whom he was married to for 77 years until her passing in 2023. They had four children–three sons and a daughter–John William, James Earl III, Donnel Jeffrey, and Amy Lynn.
He served as a naval officer for seven years and in 1962, he began his political career by entering state politics. After eight years, he took office as the Governor of Georgia, where he was recognized for ecology, government efficiency, and removing racial barriers. In 1974, Carter made his presidential candidacy announcement and was nominated at the Democratic Convention on the first ballot, choosing Minnesota’s Senator Walter F. Mondale as his Vice President running mate. He defeated President Gerald R. Ford, in a 297 to 241 electoral vote win.
While he faced incredible challenges in a time of increasing energy costs, inflation, and global tensions, he is remembered for his achievement of creating a government that is “competent and compassionate while being responsive to the American people and their expectations.”
A Heart Of Peace
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
The Chairman of the Nobel Committee stated that “Carter ought to have been awarded the Prize as early as in 1978, when he successfully mediated a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel,” and according to Nobel Peace Prize website, this was the high-point of his presidential term.
Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He passed away on December 29 at 100 years old. He is the longest living President in the history of the United States.
Banner photo is a portrait of President Jimmy Carter by Ansel Adams (1979).
