President Jimmy Carter, who served as the country’s 39th president, passed away on Sunday, December 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, the New York Times reported.
Carter’s passing was confirmed by The Carter Center, the non-profit he established with his late wife, Rosalyn. “After a series of short hospital stays,” Carter decided to forgo “further life-prolonging medical treatment and would receive hospice care at home.” In 2015, he was diagnosed with melanoma that metastasized to his brain and liver.
At 100, Carter made history as the longest-lived president in American history.
Many tributes poured in from across the world when news of Carter’s death was made public. President Joe Biden ordered a state funeral to be held, and he’s expected to deliver a eulogy.
“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,” said Biden. During his term as a Democratic senator, President Biden was the first to endorse Carter’s presidential bid. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people.”
Born and raised in Plains, Georgia, Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and joined the U.S. Navy’s submarine service. Returning home from military service, he relaunched his family’s struggling peanut-growing business.
Serving as a state senator from 1963 to 1967, Carter worked to repeal voter suppression laws that targeted Black people.
“The time for racial discrimination is over,” Carter said on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol after becoming the state’s 76th governor in 1970.
During his tenure as governor, Black appointees on Georgia state boards and agencies rose from three to 53 during Carter’s time in office. He also increased the number of Black state employees by 25% and supported affirmative action policies to hire Black workers for government jobs.
After being elected president in 1977, Carted promoted federal “set-aside programs” that steered procurements to minority- and women-owned small businesses. He also increased HBCU funding and supported affirmative action initiatives.
Carter also appointed several African Americans to his cabinet and administration: Wade H. Mc-Cree served as solicitor general, Clifford L. Alexander became the first Black Secretary of the Army and Mary Berry was the top official in Washington on educational matters before the Department of Education was established. Eleanor Holmes Norton was chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Franklin Delano Raines served on the White House staff and Andrew Young was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Carter’s one-term presidency was filled with challenges, such as the loss of manufacturing jobs, the energy crisis, the Iran hostage crisis, and resentment from the working class. But, unlike most presidents, his impact was even more significant after he left office. He established the Carter Center with his wife to conduct peace negotiations and sought to end neglected tropical diseases.
He was a major supporter of Habitat for Humanity and used his platform to speak out against racial injustice and sexism. In 2002, received the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris described Carter as being “guided by a deep and abiding faith—in God, in America, and in humanity.” She added: “I will always remember his kindness, wisdom and profound grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me—and will inspire generations to come.”
Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO, also paid tribute to Carter.
“President Carter was the rarest of politicians, driven by his faith and ideals rather than expediency. Just as he later would wield the tools at his disposal to build homes for people in need, he wielded every resource available to him as an elected official and respected statesman to alleviate suffering, to dismantle oppression and to advance peace and justice,” Morial’s statement read.
“Perhaps more than any modern president, Carter assumed the office with a first-hand perspective on the impact of public policy on the lives of average Americans. He saw the poverty and indignity that segregation and discrimination forced upon the Black sharecroppers whose children were his closest friends,” Morial continued. “He saw his family’s farm transformed by the Rural Electrification Act and other New Deal programs.
“The National Urban League and our nationwide network of 92 affiliates mourn the passing of President Carter and extend our deepest condolences to his children and grandchildren.”
Carter is survived by sons John “Jack,” James “Chip” and Donnel “Jeff” and daughter Amy.
We at EBONY extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of President Jimmy Carter.
