Carter family expresses gratitude for 'outpouring of love and support'
The family of former President Carter expressed its gratitude for the global expressions of support as it grieves his death at the age of 100 on Sunday.
“The outpouring of love and support we have received from around the world confirms what we have known all along — Jimmy Carter’s family extends far beyond blood relatives,” his family wrote in a Thursday statement.
“We are sincerely grateful for everyone’s words of comfort and acts of kindness following the passing of such a champion of human rights, justice, and peace.”
Americans across the social and political spectrum expressed their affection for the late politician from Plains, Ga., who swiftly rise to the presidency in an underdog 1976 campaign before losing four years later to former President Reagan, then enjoyed the longest postpresidency in history and created the Carter Center — which became a force in the humanitarian world — and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter's presidency was largely defined by economic struggles and the politically disastrous Iranian hostage crisis. However, his leadership in brokering the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel was widely seen as a defining diplomatic success.
Former President Obama said Carter had the “most-impactful” postpresidency in history in a statement lauding the 39th president's decades of service in his local church and broader community.
“ He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion,” Obama wrote in a statement. “Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image.”
For years after his term in office ended, Carter was a crusader for affordable housing, often building homes with his own hands alongside his wife Rosalynn, who died in 2023.
“President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia more than 40 years ago, and soon brought worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing,” Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map, and their legacy lives on in every family we serve around the world.”
Carter will be mourned by thousands during his funeral Jan. 9, which President Biden has declared a National Day of Mourning. Beginning Jan. 7, Carter will lie in the Capitol Rotunda for public viewing in the days before the funeral.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son, in a Carter Center statement.
“My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs.”
Topics
-
Jimmy Carter's relationship with his wife Rosalynn, their family and the Carter Center
Former President Jimmy Carter's casket will arrive at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, Georiga on Saturday as part of his funeral procession. CBS News' Robert Costa and Nikole Killion ...CBS News - 2h -
How to Build a Company Culture Employees Will Love
Inc. 5000 founders share hard-won lessons on fostering genuine connection and building a culture every employee will embrace.Inc. - 1d -
Tiny Love Stories: ‘He Never Says the Words’
Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words.The New York Times - 4d -
Britain's 'oldest' barrister still loves job at 90
Noel Philo continues to prosecute and defend criminal cases at Lincoln Crown Court.BBC News - 1d -
Recordings by New Orleans attack suspect express extreme religious views
Audio from Shamsud-Din Jabbar contains diatribes against music, drugs, sex and other sensuous pleasures. Nearly a year before he allegedly killed 14 people and injured dozens more by driving a ...The Guardian - 2d -
Aaron Rodgers expresses gratitude to Jets, says time with New York has been 'the best two years of my life'
Rodgers, 41, is choosing to focus on the positives with his NFL days dwindlingCBS Sports - 2d -
Johnson expresses confidence ahead of Friday's Speaker vote
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday expressed confidence about his chances ahead of the House’s Speaker vote on Friday. “We’re going to get this done,” Johnson said in an interview on “Fox & ...The Hill - 2d -
Zelensky Expresses Hope for 2025, but Russia Presses On With Attacks
In his New Year’s address, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine urged continued U.S. support.The New York Times - 3d -
See Ya, 2024. Here’s What We Loved.
Where Times Opinion — and listeners — found joy this year.The New York Times - 4d
More from The Hill
-
Trump flexes power over House GOP in whirlwind Speaker race
President-elect Trump reasserted his power over the House GOP conference during Friday’s whirlwind Speaker vote, proving that, despite some recent doubts, he still has significant sway over ...The Hill - 1h -
German chancellor on Musk: ‘Don’t feed the troll’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared his approach to dealing with tech mogul Elon Musk who lately has traded barbs with German politicians, saying it is wise to not “feed the troll.” “There are a ...The Hill - 1h -
Democrats look for places to work with Trump 2.0
Democrats say one thing is certain: 2025 won't be 2017, when it comes to the start of the Trump administration. Two months after their grueling and disappointing White House loss to ...The Hill - 2h -
Ex-FDA chief says Biden 'mishandling' bird flu, urges swift action from Trump
Former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Scott Gottlieb and Luciana Borio, a former director for medical and biodefense preparedness policy at the National Security Council, ...The Hill - 2h -
Sunday shows preview: US reels after New Year's attacks; 119th Congress hits ground running
The U.S. is reeling from a pair of New Year’s Day attacks in Nevada and Louisiana that have taken multiple lives and injured dozens. Authorities said the suspect in the New Orleans terror attack, ...The Hill - 3h
More in Politics
-
Trump flexes power over House GOP in whirlwind Speaker race
President-elect Trump reasserted his power over the House GOP conference during Friday’s whirlwind Speaker vote, proving that, despite some recent doubts, he still has significant sway over ...The Hill - 1h -
German chancellor on Musk: ‘Don’t feed the troll’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared his approach to dealing with tech mogul Elon Musk who lately has traded barbs with German politicians, saying it is wise to not “feed the troll.” “There are a ...The Hill - 1h -
Democrats look for places to work with Trump 2.0
Democrats say one thing is certain: 2025 won't be 2017, when it comes to the start of the Trump administration. Two months after their grueling and disappointing White House loss to ...The Hill - 2h -
Ex-FDA chief says Biden 'mishandling' bird flu, urges swift action from Trump
Former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Scott Gottlieb and Luciana Borio, a former director for medical and biodefense preparedness policy at the National Security Council, ...The Hill - 2h -
Sunday shows preview: US reels after New Year's attacks; 119th Congress hits ground running
The U.S. is reeling from a pair of New Year’s Day attacks in Nevada and Louisiana that have taken multiple lives and injured dozens. Authorities said the suspect in the New Orleans terror attack, ...The Hill - 3h