Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, Dies at 100

On Sunday, Jimmy Carter, a Democrat who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, died in his hometown of Plains, Georgia at the age of 100.

Carter’s father was a peanut farmer. His mother was a nurse. He started his career as a naval officer in the submarine corps, but in 1953, after his father’s death, he took over his family’s peanut business. Later, he went on to serve four years in the Georgia state legislature before making his first bid for Governor in 1966.

Though he lost to Lester Maddox, four years later, he was elected his successor, declaring, “the time for racial discrimination is over.”

He was noted for supporting integration and the Civil Rights Movement led by fellow Georgian Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1974, he was Governor of Georgia when announced he wanted to be President and went on to become the first president from the Deep South elected since the Civil War.

During his presidency he struggled with a bad economy, an energy crisis in 1979, and the Iran hostage crisis that continued during his final 444 days in office.

In 1978, after the Camp David Accords, he was credited with brokering peace between Israel and Egypt that bought some stability to the Middle East.

Still, when he left the office he was very unpopular.

Having defeated Gerald Ford in 1976, Carter lost by a landslide to Reagan in 1980. He lived longer after his term in office than any other US President, over the years earning a reputation as a better former President than President.

After Carter left the White House, he devoted his life to the causes of international peace, poverty and human rights, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on November 19, 2023, at age 96.

On Sunday, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong released a statement, saying, “President Carter leaves us just when we need his spirit more than ever. But as an American, and a kid who grew up during his presidency, I am ever grateful that Jimmy Carter showed us the way.”

A way forward for America that is just and fair, and takes care of each other,” Tong continued. “A way for a human being to serve other people as completely and vigorously as he did. I am not sure we’ll ever see another Jimmy Carter in my lifetime. But for our sake, I desperately hope that we do.”

Also, on Sunday, Governor Ned Lamont announced that pursuant to federal law, he was directing US and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in honor of the life and legacy of President Carter.

In a statement Sunday, Lamont said, “President Carter will be remembered in history as one of our nation’s most humble presidents, whose honorable service to the United States began when he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed for several years in Connecticut at Naval Submarine Base New London. Upon being elected to office as governor of Georgia and continuing throughout his presidency, he championed many of the biggest and most notable causes of the era, including desegregation, human rights, early childhood development programs, prison reform, and more. He has one of the most noteworthy and prominent post-presidency careers of any U.S. president, volunteering his time on the international stage to provide diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts in places such as Israel, Palestine, North Korea, South Africa, and Syria, and maintaining an active level of involvement as an advocate for Habitat for Humanity to promote for the availability of housing for all.”

“President Carter’s style of leadership set an example that ought to be emulated by public officials nationwide, most notably his self-effacing and kind disposition. He carried himself with grace and integrity, treated others with dignity and respect regardless of whether they were a political ally or foe, and above all worked to implement policies that make our country a more equitable place for all to live and thrive. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I extend my deepest condolences to the Carter family. Our hearts are with them at this time of mourning, and we thank them for everything they have given to our country.”

US Senator Richard Blumenthal also  released a statement, saying, “Jimmy Carter was a public servant for all seasons—leading by example, passionately and unstintingly, over deeply different and sometimes difficult phases of his life and the nation’s.”

“The diversity and longevity of his public service is staggering—as a military officer, Governor and President, home builder, health care activist, and much more. He certainly showed that leadership in elected office is only one of many ways to give back to our great nation. He believed fervently in the opportunity and obligation of every single person to make a difference and better the lives of others. I’ll always be grateful for his appointing me as U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, which is how I first came to know him.”

“While some disagreed with his political views or positions, none could doubt his sincerity and decency, his faith and humanity. He built a legacy of giving back—personifying the adage that there’s no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

Blumenthal was appointed to be the US. Attorney for Connecticut by President Carter and served in that role for four years during the Carter Administration.