President Joe Biden and the surviving former presidents have issued statements commemorating former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100 in his home surrounded by his family while in hospice care.
Biden announced that he would order an official state funeral to be held in Washington, D.C., for Carter. He recounted Carter’s various achievements as a Lieutenant of the U.S. Navy and 39th president of the United States who “gave his full life in service to God and country.”
Why It Matters
Carter, who held office between 1977 and 1981, is survived by his sons John William, James Earl and Donnel Jeffrey; his daughter, Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died at the age of 99 last year following a months-long stay hospice care.
Carter has the distinction of being the longest-lived U.S. president, followed by President George Herbert Walker Bush, who died in 2018 at the age of 94.
What To Know
President Biden led off his tribute to Carter with a lament that “the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.”
“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,” Biden said in his statement, issued by the White House.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together,” Biden said. “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,” Biden added. “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.”
The president’s full statement can be read here.
Former President Barack Obama wrote an article on Medium in which he talked about Carter’s “decency” and powerful belief in “integrity, respect and compassion.”
“Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth,” Obama wrote. “And he did — advocating for the public good, consequences be damned.”
“He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image,” Obama continued.
“Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels,” he concluded. “Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man.”
Former President George W. Bush issued a statement shortly after the news broke that Carter had passed, praising the former president’s “efforts to leave behind a better world.”
“Laura and I send our heartfelt condolences to Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family,” Bush wrote in his statement.
“James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions,” Bush said. “He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency.”
“His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations,” Bush added. “We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and in prayer for his family.”
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a joint statement in which they paid homage to the “long, good life” of a man who “lived to serve others – until the very end.”
“From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-presidential efforts at the Carter Center … he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the Clintons said.
“Our prayers are with Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and their families,” the couple added.
President-elect Donald Trump posted a tribute to Carter on Truth Social:
“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday shortly after news of Carter’s death broke.
“Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” Trump wrote. “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.
“Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time,” he added. “We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”
The Gerald R. Ford Foundation posted on its Facebook page: “With President Carter’s passing, the world has lost a great champion of human rights, a wise mediator of international peace, and a passionate proponent of the wellbeing, equality, and just treatment of all people. Though respected adversaries in the national political arena, our father’s and President Carter’s personal friendship grew and deepened through their shared faith and common vision for the healing and strengthening of our nation. Our Ford family celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of President Carter. We send our love, prayers, and condolences to the Carter family.”