President Joe Biden paid tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter at a state funeral held at Washington National Cathedral, commemorating the life and legacy of the 39th president of the United States.
Biden hailed Carter as a principled leader driven by his deep Christian faith. He reflected on their decades-long friendship and Carter’s lasting impact on America and the world.
“I was a 31-year-old senator,” Biden, now 82, recalled their first meeting in 1974. “I was the first senator outside of Georgia to endorse his candidacy for president. That endorsement was rooted in what I believe is Jimmy Carter’s enduring attribute: character, character, character.”
Biden emphasized the role of integrity in leadership, stating, “It’s an accumulation of a million things built on character that leads to a good life in a decent country.”
Biden fondly remembered Carter’s friendship and the warmth he and first lady Jill Biden experienced when visiting Carter and his wife Rosalynn in their Georgia home during his presidency.
“Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me that character means understanding everyone deserves dignity and respect — that everyone deserves a fair shot,” he noted.
In a heartfelt eulogy, Biden described Carter’s unwavering faith as the foundation of his character. “Throughout his life, he showed us what it means to be a faithful servant of God and the people,” he said, quoting the biblical prophet Micah: “He did justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly.”
The president highlighted Carter’s achievements as a civil rights advocate, a Navy veteran, and a nuclear engineer committed to nonproliferation.
Carter’s presidency (1977-1981) saw the historic Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt despite facing significant challenges like the Iran hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Biden acknowledged Carter’s contributions to conservation, clean energy, and global peace efforts, asserting that these accomplishments reflected his humble roots and steadfast faith.
Carter’s post-presidency legacy was equally impactful. His dedication to humanitarian work with Habitat for Humanity and his advocacy for human rights earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. “A patriot whose faith in God and America furthered the cause of equality and justice,” Biden said of his friend.
Reflecting on Carter’s influence, former White House domestic affairs adviser Stuart Eizenstat called him “one of the most consequential one-term presidents in American history.”
He added, “He may not be a candidate for Mount Rushmore, but he belongs in the foothills of making the U.S. stronger and the world safer.”
Despite leaving office with low approval ratings, Carter remained respected for laying the groundwork that future leaders built upon.
The funeral featured poignant readings of eulogies from former President Gerald Ford and Vice President Walter Mondale, read by their sons. Ford’s tribute noted, “By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals, but we later bonded as no two presidents since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.”
Prominent attendees at the funeral included former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and President-elect Donald Trump, along with their spouses, except for former first lady Michelle Obama, who cited scheduling conflicts. The event was marked by moments of levity, including George W. Bush playfully poking Obama’s belly and Trump engaging in a seemingly friendly conversation with Obama.
Trump also greeted former Vice President Mike Pence, marking a rare public interaction since the January 66, 2the Januaryol riot.
The gathering underscored the complex political dynamics of the current landscape, with President-elect Trump recently defeating Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Lip readers speculated about significant conversations between Trump and Obama.
Carter, who died at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, onDecember 299, 2024, will be buried beside Rosalynn, his wife of 77 years, who died in November 2023.
Biden closed his tribute by urging Americans to honour Carter’s memory through charitable acts, such as donating blood and supporting the American Red Cross, as devastating wildfires sweep through California.
The nation mourns the passing of a leader whose life embodied faith, service, and a vision of equality for all. Carter’s legacy as a peacemaker and humanitarian will endure for generations.
