Jimmy Carter, America’s 39th President, Passes Away at Age 100

Jimmy Carter, America’s 39th President, Passes Away at Age 100

The members of the Democratic Party of Houghton County were saddened to learn this Sunday of the passing of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The world has lost a shining example of a life lived in pursuit of the highest ideals of citizenship.

President Carter served heroically in the U.S. Navy as a submariner, helping with the aftermath of the 1952 NRX nuclear reactor incident at Chalk River. He inherited his family's peanut farm in Georgia and managed it to prosperity, bringing this experience to the governorship of Georgia and then to the Presidency.

As President, he established the Departments of Energy and Education, bringing national authority to bear on two issues that shape Democratic priorities to this day. He installed solar panels on the White House, taking a leading role in advancing what has become a crucial technology for clean power. He mediated the Camp David Accords, one of the most influential peace initiatives in the Middle East for a generation.

In his post-Presidency, President Carter continued to live a life of service and character. He worked with Habitat for Humanity and established the Carter Center, whose efforts may soon lead to the worldwide eradication of Guinea worm.

While keeping an honorable distance from his successors in politics, he has spoken out in recent years against the death penalty and in favor of same-sex marriage when these issues were in the national spotlight. At all times his faith was a guiding light to his life, and we hope that it brought him comfort in his final hours.

At 100, Mr. Carter was the longest-lived US President ever. President George Bush Sr, who died at the age of 94, was the second longest lived. Mr. Carter and his wife Rosalynn were also the longest-married Presidential couple in US history, at 77 years. The couple had known each other since childhood.

Mr. Carter had been in failing health for some time, entering home hospice in February of 2023. The former President was preceded in death by one grandchild, and by his wife and former First Lady Rosalynn, who passed away in November of last year. He is survived by his children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• View the statement on the former President’s passing from the Carter Center on this webpage.

• The arrangements for President Carter’s funeral, including all public events from this Saturday, January 4 up to the National Funeral in Washington DC and a private service in Georgia, both on January 9, have been released, and can be found at https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/.

• Read this inspiring story of the Carters’ volunteer work building over 4300 homes with Habitat for Humanity from the Detroit News.

• The Carter family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307. Donations, and online condolences, can also be made at the Tribute Page hosted by the Carter Center. You can find that page here: https://www.jimmycartertribute.org

SPEECHES:

• See Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter’s acceptance speech to the 1976 Democratic National Convention in New York City on C-SPAN 3.

• See President Carter’s acceptance speech on his nomination for a second term, to the 1980 Democratic National Convention, again held in New York City on C-SPAN 3.

• View President Carter’s Farewell Address to the Nation in 1981 on YouTube.

INTERVIEWS:

• Leslie Stahl interviewed the former President for 60 Minutes in 2010 on the publication of his White House Diary, his annotated diary entries from his time as President. View the interview on CBS.

• View this NPR interview with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter from July of 2021 as they reflect on 75 years of marriage, and the state of America politics on YouTube.

Next HCDP Monthly Meeting is January 8

With the first Wednesday of the month in January being New Years Day, our January monthly meeting will take place the following Wednesday, January 8th.

We’ll meet at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton as usual. Also as usual, you can also attend by Zoom - the Zoom link is available below for readers of the email newsletter.

You do not need to be a member to attend our meetings, and we would welcome you to join us.

WHAT: Potluck at 6 PM, Meeting begins at 7 PM.

WHERE: In the conference room at the Houghton Super 8, and by Zoom

WHEN: January 8th