Honoring Jimmy Carter

Adrian Tomaszewski
Feb 14
2 min read

By Andrew Xie and Srihita Madi Feb. 12, 2025

On Dec. 29, 2024, the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, passed away at 100, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to public service and peace. A small-time peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, Carter built his presidency on his life of hard work. After a lengthy retirement dedicated to human rights and democracy, Carter entered hospice care in his hometown in February 2023, remaining there until his peaceful passing.

Carter’s funeral service occurred in his hometown at the Maranatha Baptist Church with family, friends and world leaders—including several former U.S. presidents—attending and offering their condolences. The nation mourned his death with an outpouring of tributes focusing on his compassion. Former President Biden proclaimed Jan. 9 as a national day of mourning, ordering flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff until 30 days after Carter’s passing.

Raised during the Great Depression, Carter worked on his family’s peanut farm and lived among neighbors of diverse racial and economic backgrounds. These experiences instilled the empathy, strong work ethic and devotion to social justice that would guide his political career.

Beginning as a progressive and pro-equality Georgia senator, Carter ran for president in 1976, appealing to a nation rattled by the Watergate scandal. His promise to restore trust in government resonated with voters, leading to his victory over Gerald Ford.

As president, Carter achieved significant milestones, most notably the still-standing Camp David Accords of 1978—a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel that championed human rights and environmental conservation. Despite his advocacy for change, Carter’s honest values sometimes made him come off as indecisive, and his efforts for energy conservation were harmed by the 1979 energy crisis.

Carter’s post-presidency is considered one of the most impactful in American history. In 1982, he and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit dedicated to human rights. Through it, they led efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease, even negotiating a cease-fire during the Second Sudanese Civil War to combat the illness. Carter’s global health initiatives earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

“While Carter's presidency included significant accomplishments, his philanthropic work will likely define his legacy. His dedication through the Carter Center has saved countless lives and promoted democracy in numerous nations,” Freshman Tony Dung said.

About the Contributors

Andrew Xie

staff writer

Andrew Xie is a Freshman at Leland High School and is a Writer. He loves reading and writing and this is his first year in journalism. He likes watching soccer and playing video games.

Srihita Madiraju

staff writer

Srihita Madiraju is a Junior at Leland High School and a staff writer. She enjoys reading and writing and this is her first year in journalism. She enjoys dancing, going to the beach, and hanging out with her friends.