HomeNewsLocalLocal Officials Praise Jimmy Carter After Former President's Death at 100

Local Officials Praise Jimmy Carter After Former President’s Death at 100

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Local officials were remembering former President Jimmy Carter Sunday as news spread that Carter had died at age 100, after living longer than any other U.S. president.

Carter died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to his son Chip.

President Joe Biden scheduled Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C. for Jan. 9, and is declaring a National Day of Mourning in the U.S., according to The Associated Press.

“Jimmy Carter’s extraordinary public service didn’t end when his presidency did. He has remained an icon of kindness and humility and a champion of peace,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said on X, accompanied by a photo of her with Carter.

“I had the opportunity to build houses with him for low income families in San Pedro in 2007 when I was on the City Council,” she added. “His legacy will live on for generations to come, not only here but around the world. May he rest in peace.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also weighed in on the loss Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a sad day as the country mourns the loss of President Jimmy Carter — a leader who exemplified the importance of service and care during his presidency and beyond. While in the White House, President Carter established the idea of human rights as a core tenet of American foreign policy and created a path towards a clean energy future, among other important achievements. After his term, he continued to lead,” Bass said.

“The international legacy he leaves behind lives on in the Carter Center as an active and powerful defense of freedom and democracy around the globe. Domestically, his inspiring work through Habitat for Humanity showed generations of Americans that there are no limits to community service and helping others.

“Years ago, I was fortunate to sit and speak with President Carter. I will cherish the conversation we were able to have, and am grateful for his wisdom and guidance. I send my deepest condolences to the entire Carter family and his loved ones on this difficult day.”

Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Los Angeles, also remembered Carter’s work for Habitat for Humanity.

“Habitat Humanitarians: The Carters Carter Work Project will always remember President Jimmy Carter for his work with Habitat for Humanity as I served on the Board of Directors in Los Angeles. Rest in peace and rest and power, Mr. President,” Gipson posted on X.

“President Carter was a true public servant, a leader who understood that good works should extend far beyond the walls of elected office,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson posted. “During his presidency, he championed equality, human rights, and conscientious government; afterwards, he continued to dedicate his life to helping others succeed and thrive.

“His legacy stands as a powerful testament to the strength of the American virtues of unity, hope, and peace. The City of Long Beach extends our deep condolences to President Carter’s family and loved ones,” Richardson added.

“Former President Jimmy Carter led with a belief that government can & should be a vessel for good. The impact of his leadership in helping to advance equality across our nation & the globe will live on. Thank you for your service to our country, Mr. Carter. May you rest in peace,” LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell posted.

Mitchell’s fellow Supervisor, Hilda Solis issued a statement saying, “His time both in the White House and outside left an indelible mark on our country and the lives of Americans.”

Recalling her time working with the former president, she added, “President Carter emphasized human rights and environmental justice throughout his lifetime, demonstrated through his time building affordable housing for those in need, establishing the Department of Education, calling for bilingual education and pursuing solar panel technology well ahead of his time. He also dedicated the Carter Center to combat health issues in Atlanta, Georgia.”

Carter’s death was also mourned by the daughters of the late President Richard Nixon.

“Our family is saddened to learn of the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower said in a statement issued by the Richard Nixon Foundation in Yorba Linda, home of Nixon’s presidential library.

“Throughout his long and productive life, President Carter’s service to others — both in public office and as a private citizen — earned him the respect and affection of the American people and of people across the globe. His hands-on humanitarian work, which he and Mrs. Carter tirelessly carried out together, helped to provide decent housing, eradicate disease, and improve the lives of millions in communities both at home and abroad. His quest for peace in troubled regions of the world, which culminated in the signing of the Camp David Accords, will long be remembered as one of the hallmarks of his presidency and his life.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Carter family as they honor and reflect on President Carter and his enduring legacy of service to our nation and the world, the statement added.

The public was also invited to pay tribute to Carter at the Nixon Library beginning at 10 a.m. Monday by signing a book of condolences that will be delivered to the Carter family.

“President Carter was a man of rare character — whose beliefs ran true, deep, and never wavered,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

“His candor and compassion, moral leadership, and sense of duty set a standard we all should aspire to. California joins the nation and the world in mourning his passing,” Newsom added.

“President Jimmy Carter leaves a legacy unlike any other,” said Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, a former Burbank congressman. “Ceaseless in his service, unbending in his dignity, and revered for his commitment to our common humanity. He fought the good fight and kept the faith — and now he has finished his race.

“May his memory be an inspiration.”

Sen. Alex Padilla weighed in Sunday afternoon, praising Carter for his work in office and beyond.

“His legacy of service extends far beyond his time in the Oval Office. His organization’s extensive nonpartisan election observation helped the United States live up to our commitment to promote peace and democracy around the world,” said Padilla. “And long after he left public office, the fact that you could wander into Sunday School taught by the former president, or find yourself building homes with Habitat for Humanity alongside a 95-year- old Jimmy Carter is a testament to his selflessness and his deep faith.”

The Plains native graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1946, and spent seven years as a naval officer before returning to Georgia and entering politics in 1962. He was elected governor in 1970.

When Carter emerged from the pack to claim the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976 he was largely unknown outside his home state. With the nation reeling from the Watergate scandal and the resignation of Nixon in 1974, Carter’s outsider status, humble background as a peanut farmer and perceived honesty proved a winning combination in a close election against incumbent Gerald Ford.

Carter’s presidency began with much hope and featured some high moments, most notably his brokering of the 1978 Camp David peace accord between Israel and Egypt. However, the economy was marked by rising inflation and energy shortages, and as Iranian militants seized 52 American hostages and held them for more than a year, Carter began to be perceived by voters as weak and ineffectual.

His stubborn refusal to nurture cooperative relationships with leaders of his own Democratic Party in Congress didn’t help his fortunes either, leading to a primary challenge from Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy in 1980. Carter held off Kennedy, but was helpless to withstand the nationwide tide of conservatism that swept Ronald Reagan into office in November.

Carter’s reputation among historians and the public at large was at a low ebb when he left the White House, but would undergo a historic transformation in the years that followed.

He established the Carter Center in 1982, a nonprofit institution dedicated to promoting human rights and finding peaceful solutions to conflict. He traveled the world tirelessly, monitoring elections and otherwise advocating for peace and democracy.

Back home in the United States he devoted chunks of his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity, and could often be seen wielding a hammer himself helping to build houses for needy families.

He wrote books about faith, family and good works.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for “undertaking peace negotiations, campaigning for human rights, and working for social welfare,” according to the Nobel Committee.

Carter’s health gradually weakened in recent years. In February 2023, Carter’s family announced that he would forego further hospital stays and live out his final time receiving hospice care at home. His wife of 77 years, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, died on Nov. 19 of that year at age 96.

“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian,” President Joe Biden said in a statement issued by the White House. “Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend.

“… 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. … To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world,” Biden continued.

” … 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.”

On Sunday night, Biden issued a proclamation declaring Carter’s death and calling him “a man of character, courage and compassion, whose lifetime of service defined him as one of the most influential statesmen in our history.”

In the proclamation, he declared that “as an expression of public sorrow,” he was directing that `the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions for a period of 30 days from the day of his death.

President-elect Donald Trump commended Carter’s service to the nation as well.

“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” Trump said. “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. 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. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts of prayers,” Trump concluded.

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