By Robert Jimison
The passing of former President Jimmy Carter on Sunday led to an overwhelming response of sympathy and tributes from various political figures, spanning both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who took office over forty years after Carter’s tenure as the state’s only president in the mid-1970s, reflected on Carter’s legacy as the sole U.S. president hailing from Georgia.
“As a native of Plains, he held a deep appreciation for Georgians and the qualities of our state, returning to his rural roots after his service in government,” Kemp, a Republican, noted in a statement.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., remarked, “President Carter’s journey began from humble origins, and his life embodies the limitless possibilities in this wonderful country.”
He commended the former president for facilitating the Camp David accords, which resulted in a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1978, in addition to his post-presidency endeavors building homes with Habitat for Humanity.
“It is undeniable that President Carter had an exceptional life dedicated to serving his country,” Johnson stated.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the minority leader, described Carter as “a remarkable individual, an exemplary role model, and a true humanitarian.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, lauded Carter’s dedicated service. “In remembering President Carter’s remarkable life, we also pay tribute to the numerous lives he influenced through his vision and kindness,” he said in a statement.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, referenced Carter’s roots as a peanut farmer while honoring the former president. “Jimmy Carter’s integrity and dedication, much like his crops, were products of all-American soil,” McConnell stated, adding that “after every season that brought him to high service far from home, he returned home again, determined to cultivate his unique experiences and influence to benefit others.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the previous speaker, valued Carter as “a leader who exemplified dignity and decency, grace and kindness.”
“As president, his efforts to restore integrity to the political landscape during a challenging time in our history showcased his unwavering belief in the importance of the public good, which he consistently prioritized above his own interests,” she concluded in a statement.
Members from Georgia’s congressional delegation also honored Carter’s memory. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat, remarked that the former president “brought honest competence, integrity, and humility back to the presidency,” whereas Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, referred to Carter as “one of my heroes.”
“For those of us fortunate enough to represent our communities in public office, Jimmy Carter exemplifies what it means to manifest one’s faith through the esteemed work of public service,” Warnock, who is also the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, expressed in a statement.
Another Georgian lawmaker, Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican, acknowledged Carter’s humanitarian legacy, stating in a statement that his “Christian spirit positively impacted countless lives.”
