The passing of President Jimmy Carter
Statement by President Obama and Mrs. Obama on the Passing of President Carter
For decades, you could walk into Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, on some Sunday mornings and see hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews. And standing in front of them, asking with a wink if there were any visitors that morning, would be President Jimmy Carter – preparing to teach Sunday school, just like he had done for most of his adult life.
Some who came to hear him speak were undoubtedly there because of what President Carter accomplished in his four years in the White House – the Camp David Accords he brokered that reshaped the Middle East; the work he did to diversify the federal judiciary, including nominating a pioneering women’s rights activist and lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the federal bench; the environmental reforms he put in place, becoming one of the first leaders in the world to recognize the problem of climate change.
Others were likely there because of what President Carter accomplished in the longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history – monitoring more than 100 elections around the world; helping virtually eliminate Guinea worm disease, an infection that had haunted Africa for centuries; becoming the only former president to earn a Nobel Peace Prize; and building or repairing thousands of homes in more than a dozen countries with his beloved Rosalynn as part of Habitat for Humanity.
But I’m willing to bet that many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.
Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. 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.
Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.” He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.
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. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man.
Waikinya Clanton, candidate for DNC Vice Chair, released the following statement following the passing of former President Jimmy Carter:
My heart is heavy yet full of gratitude as I reflect on the extraordinary life of President Jimmy Carter – a true American hero who showed us what it means to live with purpose and serve with love. His story isn’t just American history; it’s deeply personal to me and millions of others who witnessed his tireless work to make our world better.
I’m struck by how President Carter exemplified the very best of our American values – not through grand gestures or seeking the spotlight, but through genuine, humble service that touched countless lives. From the farms of Plains, Georgia, to the halls of the White House, and in the decades beyond, he never wavered from his deep-rooted belief in the goodness of people and the promise of America.
When I think of President Carter’s legacy, I’m moved by how he transformed the post-presidency into a mission of service that knows no borders. The sight of him building homes with Habitat for Humanity well into his 90s, working alongside everyday Americans, perfectly captured his spirit. Through the Carter Center, he waged peace, fought disease, and advanced human rights – not because it was easy, but because it was right. That’s the America I believe in, the America he believed in – the one that leads with compassion and stands tall for what’s just.
His dedication to peace wasn’t just policy – it was personal. The Camp David Accords showed the world that with enough faith, patience, and determination, even the deepest divides can be bridged. In these challenging times for our nation, President Carter’s example reminds us that our greatest strength lies not in our might, but in our capacity to reach across divides and lift each other up.
To honor his memory, let’s do more than remember – let’s act. Let’s channel his unwavering optimism and roll up our sleeves like he did. Whether it’s serving our communities, standing up for human rights, or working for peace, we can each carry forward his legacy in our own way. That’s what makes America exceptional – ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things in service of others.
President Carter showed us that true patriotism isn’t about might; it’s about service, integrity, and an unshakeable commitment to our highest ideals. As we bid farewell to this remarkable American, let’s make his vision of a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world our own. That would be the greatest tribute we could offer to a man who gave so much of himself to our nation and humanity.
God bless President Carter and our nation, as we mourn this great leader.
