Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and a renowned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who passed away at the remarkable age of 100, early today is to be buried on January 9.
US President Joe Biden who announced this, said a state funeral will be held for him.
He called upon Americans to pay their respects to him at their respective places of worship on January 9, which has been declared a National Day of Mourning.
Leading tributes to his predecessor, Biden described Carter as “an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”, who had “saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.”
He said: “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.
“We’d all do well to try and be a little more like Jimmy Carter.”
Born and raised in Plains, Georgia, Carter returned to his hometown, where he peacefully passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of humanitarianism and public service.
His death was announced in a terse statement from the Carter Centre on Monday
Prior to his death, Carter had been under hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, since February, surrounded by loved ones.
Persecondnews recalls that his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, had died November 19, 2023, at age 96 and Carter attended her memorial services in a wheelchair.
Carter, a distinguished U.S. Naval Academy graduate, hailed from a prominent Georgia farming family and went on to serve as a state senator and governor, culminating in a narrow victory over incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election.
He served one term, from January 1977 to January 1981.
Carter won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002 for The Carter Center’s work in fighting the Guinea worm disease in Africa and tracking elections across the world.
He continued to dedicate himself to community service well into his later years, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, a home-building organization, which further solidified his reputation for humility and commitment to helping others, earning him widespread admiration across the political spectrum.
President-elect Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to pay tribute to Jimmy Carter, he said: “we all owe [Carter] a debt of gratitude … The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans.”
The current living former US presidents paid tribute to Jimmy Carter, with Bill Clinton praising him for “working tirelessly for a better world”.
Barack Obama reflected on Carter’s remarkable life, saying he “taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service”.
Meanwhile, George W. Bush noted that Carter’s life would “inspire Americans for generations”.
Tributes also poured in from heads of state around the world.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remembered Jimmy Carter as a leader who embodied “compassion, kindness, empathy, and hard work,” and personally appreciated his thoughtful and generous advice.
French President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute, describing Carter as a champion of the vulnerable and a tireless advocate for peace.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Jimmy Carter for redefining the post-presidency with his unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights, both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, King Charles expressed his sadness over Carter’s passing, noting that the former president’s dedication and humility had inspired countless individuals.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to Jimmy Carter, acknowledging his remarkable leadership, which significantly contributed to international peace and security, while also highlighting his compassion for the vulnerable, his graciousness, and his unwavering commitment to the greater good and shared humanity.
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