Quote from Alex bobby on January 9, 2025, 3:46 AM

Honouring a Legacy: Thousands Gather in Washington to Pay Final Respects to Former President Jimmy Carter

WASHINGTON — Braving frigid temperatures, thousands of mourners gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter. As the 39th president lay in state in the Capitol’s rotunda, a space reserved for only about 50 Americans since 1852, those in attendance reflected on Carter’s profound impact on the nation and the world. Elected officials, Vice President Kamala Harris, and ordinary citizens came together to celebrate the life and legacy of a man who exemplified compassion, service, and dedication.

David Smith, a professor at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, credited the former president with inspiring his career. Smith expressed deep gratitude for Carter’s contributions to human rights and environmental advocacy, saying, “He had such an impact on so many people. His work on advancing minorities, appointments of women to the judiciary, protecting our environment, advocating for human rights – all those things are very important to me.”

Carter’s flag-draped coffin arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday, ahead of Thursday’s national funeral. In a solemn ceremony Tuesday night, Senate Majority Leader Jon Thune paid tribute to Carter’s multifaceted life: “Navy veteran, peanut farmer, governor of Georgia. And president of the United States. Sunday school teacher. Nobel Prize winner. Advocate for peace and human rights. And first and foremost, a faithful servant of his creator and his fellow man.”

Vice President Harris echoed these sentiments, emphasising Carter’s forward-thinking policies. “He was the first president of the United States to have a comprehensive energy policy, including providing some of the first federal support for clean energy,” she said. “He also passed over a dozen major pieces of legislation regarding environmental protection. And more than doubled the size of America's national parks.”

A Humble Beginning and a Lasting Impact

Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, passed away on December 29 at the age of 100 after nearly two years in hospice care in Georgia. His final journey began in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, and continued through Atlanta before concluding in snowy Washington for his state funeral. Throughout his life, Carter was known not only for his policies but also for his humility and moral integrity.

Congresswoman Alma Adams, a Democrat from North Carolina, praised Carter as “a real moral person.” She shared a personal connection, noting that both she and Carter taught Sunday school. “But I think it’s the fact that he cared about all people. He was a people’s president,” she added.

Republican Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina also lauded Carter’s character, despite political differences. “President Carter was a good man. President Carter was a man who served his country. He loved America. I didn’t agree with all of his policies, but you couldn’t disagree with his patriotism,” Norman remarked.

Reflections on Leadership

As President Joe Biden prepares to deliver the eulogy at Thursday’s funeral, he reflected on Carter’s legacy in December, saying, “We may never see his like again. You know, we can all do well to try to be a little more like Jimmy Carter.”

Political analysts have noted similarities between Carter and Biden, particularly in their approach to governance. Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, commented, “There’s an obvious similarity; that is, that Carter turned out to be a one-term president, and Biden turned out to be a one-term president.” He continued, “In both cases, I would say that the two presidents put the policy ahead of the politics. And they paid the price for that.”

Thursday’s funeral is expected to be a rare moment of unity, bringing together President Biden and former presidents, including Donald Trump. When asked about commonalities between Carter and Trump, Galston hesitated before replying, “I don’t even know how to begin to answer that question. The two are opposites in every respect that I can think of, except one. And that is, they both attained the presidency as outsiders.”

A Nation Honours Its Servant

As Carter’s body rests in the Capitol, surrounded by the symbols of American democracy, the nation pauses to reflect on his enduring contributions. He was a man who, decades after leaving the highest office in the land, continued to serve humanity through humanitarian work and advocacy for peace.

Jimmy Carter’s legacy goes beyond the policies he implemented or the accolades he received. He leaves behind a model of leadership grounded in empathy, integrity, and service. As President Biden and former leaders gather to honour him, the message is clear: Carter’s life serves as a reminder that true greatness is measured not by power, but by the lives one touches.

In an era of political division, Carter’s life and values offer a beacon of hope. The mourners who gathered, from ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials, demonstrated that his legacy of kindness, humility, and dedication to justice will endure for generations to come.