His reaction to the death of former President Jimmy Carter honored his service to the country and his contributions around the world after his time in the White House.
President Joe Biden called Carter “a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism.”
“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, promote peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, protect the homeless and always stand up for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement. “He saved, uplifted and changed the lives of people all over the world.”
Vice President Kamala Harris mourned Carter’s death Sunday, saying in a statement that the former president “was guided by a deep and abiding faith in God, America and humanity.”
“I had the privilege of knowing President Carter over the years. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom and deep grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me, and will continue to inspire generations to come. Our world is a better place because of President Carter,” Harris added.
Former President Bill Clinton said he and his wife Hillary Clinton “mourn the death of President Jimmy Carter and thank him for his long and good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived a life of service to others until the end.”
President George W. Bush welcomes former US Presidents George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and President-elect Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, January 7, 2009.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President-elect Donald Trump said of Carter: “Jimmy’s challenges as president came at an important 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. .”
Former President Barack Obama praised the former president’s honesty, especially after Watergate, saying in a statement that Carter “promised to always tell the voters the truth. And he did, in the public interest, consequences be damned. Some things were more important than getting re-elected.” he believed, like integrity, respect, and compassion, as deeply as Jimmy Carter believed we are all created in God’s image.”
House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi also acknowledged the time Carter was elected to the White House:
“As president, his work to restore integrity to the political arena during a difficult chapter in our history was a testament to his unwavering faith in the sanctity of the public good, which he always put above his own,” he said in a statement. “After leaving the White House, he continued to serve as perhaps the most influential post-president in history.”
Former President George W. Bush called Carter “a man of deep conviction. He was loyal to his family, his community and his country. President Carter honored the position. And his efforts to leave behind a better world were not over. The Presidency Habitat for Humanity- and his work with the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire generations of Americans.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “President Carter truly lived the American dream. A devout, religious peanut farmer from small-town Georgia volunteered to serve his country in uniform. He found himself aboard a submarine crew hundreds of feet under the ocean. He returned home. he returned and saved the family farm before he felt drawn to another public service and was elected leader of the free world by his fellow Americans.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Carter “one of our humblest and most dedicated public servants.”
“President Carter personified the true meaning of leadership through service, through compassion and through integrity,” Schumer said in a statement.
Vice President Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Former Vice President Dan Quayle, Marilyn Quayle, Former Vice President Dick Cheney, Lynne Chaney, Former Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Former Vice President Al Gore, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter attend the national funeral for former President George HW Bush. Cathedral December 05, 2018 in Washington, DC.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he was “grateful for the life, legacy and leadership of President Jimmy Carter” in an X post.
“He was a great man, a great role model and a great humanitarian.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Carter “set the standard for post-presidential service through his work with Habitat for Humanity.”
Clinton’s statement summed up Carter’s influence:
“From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to make energy conservation a national priority, to return the Panama Canal to Panama, and to ensure peace between Egypt and Israel, to the Carter Center’s post-presidential efforts , supporting honest elections, fighting for peace and democracy and Rosalynn, she worked hard at Habitat for Humanity, working for a better and more just world continuously”.
