Biden, Obama, Clinton Honor Jimmy Carter’s Life and Legacy

President Joe Biden and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton released heartfelt statements on Sunday following the passing of former President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100. The tributes celebrated Carter’s lifetime of service, both during and after his presidency, and his enduring impact on humanitarian causes.

Biden’s Tribute to a “Dear Friend”

President Biden praised Carter as an “extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.” Reflecting on Carter’s extensive work beyond politics, Biden noted his contributions to civil rights, public health, and global peace initiatives.

“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,” Biden said. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.”

Biden also remarked on the deep bond between Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, describing their relationship as “the definition of partnership” and their leadership as “the definition of patriotism.”

Obama Praises Carter’s Post-Presidency Legacy

Former President Barack Obama highlighted Carter’s remarkable post-presidency, particularly his hands-on involvement with Habitat for Humanity and other charitable efforts. Obama called Carter’s decency his defining characteristic, while acknowledging that this same truthfulness and integrity contributed to his loss in the 1980 election.

“President Carter had the most impactful post-presidency in American history,” Obama said, underscoring how Carter’s humanitarian work inspired millions around the world.

Clinton Reflects on Carter’s Life of Service

In a joint statement with his wife, Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton described Carter as someone who “lived to serve others until the very end.” The statement celebrated Carter’s work on global health, peace, and democracy, and reflected on the Clintons’ personal connection with him.

“Hillary and I met President Carter in 1975 and were proud, early supporters of his Presidential campaign,” Clinton said. “I will always be proud to have presented the Medal of Freedom to him and Rosalynn in 1999, and to have worked with him in the years after he left the White House.”

A Complicated Legacy

While Carter’s presidency faced significant challenges including domestic economic struggles and foreign policy crises his decades-long post-presidency transformed his reputation. His work in global health, housing, and diplomacy left an indelible mark, earning him widespread admiration even from critics of his time in office.

Carter’s life reminds us that leadership is not confined to one’s time in office but extends to the impact one has on the world. As the nation reflects on his life, Carter’s legacy as a servant of humanity endures.

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