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When former President Jimmy Carter visited Virginia Military Institute in 2001 to accept the inaugural Jonathan Myrick Daniels Humanitarian Award, he described Daniels, who gave his life in 1965 for the cause of Civil Rights four years after graduating from VMI, as “a true hero … He led an exemplary life. He’s been an inspiration to many people.”
The same can be said of Carter, who has achieved much in a lifetime of service to others, giving of himself so that multitudes of other people all around the world can experience better lives. The longest living former president, who has begun his final journey, having entered hospice care, has led an extraordinary post-presidential life.
His Carter Center has waged peace all over the globe and led efforts to eradicate disease. Carter himself has been at the forefront of efforts to resolve international conflicts, promote democratic ideals and protect human rights. The Carter Center has successfully monitored innumerable elections and is credited with helping to nearly eradicate Guinea worm disease. Under the former president’s leadership, the Carter Center has engaged in conflict resolutions in every part of the world.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, “his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
While his presidency was under- appreciated by many, there were historic accomplishments. Through the Camp David Accords, he negotiated a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The Carter administration reached the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, signed the Panama Canal treaties and established diplomatic relations with China. His presidency was known for championing human rights all over the world. On the domestic front, the U.S. departments of energy and education were established.
He and his wife Rosalynn have promoted volunteerism by regularly volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps people achieve home ownership. Up just until a couple of years ago, the Carters volunteered one week a year to help renovate and build Habitat homes. Throughout most of his life, Carter, a self-proclaimed “born-again Christian,” has continued to teach Sunday school at the Maranaha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Before he was president, he was the governor of Georgia, a U.S. Naval officer, a nuclear physicist and a peanut farmer. His gubernatorial tenure was known for his advocacy of desegregation and for implementing a reorganization of state government to improve efficiency.
While serving as Georgia governor, Carter perhaps hinted at his presidential ambitions when he visited Lexington in 1972 to deliver the keynote address at Washington and Lee University’s mock Democratic convention. In his speech to the student delegates, Carter declared that incumbent President Richard Nixon “should and can and will be defeated in November.” That didn’t happen, of course, but the Watergate scandal would shorten Nixon’s second term, paving the way for Carter’s election to the presidency four years later.
In spite of his presidency’s notable achievements, Carter would serve just a single term himself. His approval ratings were dragged down by high inflation, a stagnant economy and the Iran hostage crisis. In his bid for reelection in 1980, he suffered a lopsided defeat to former California Gov. Ronald Reagan. Carter was thus consigned to a post-presidency that would reach the aforementioned heights.
Those post-presidency accomplishments have likely exceeded those of any other American president. It can be truly said that Carter, like VMI Class of 1961 valedictorian Daniels, has led an exemplary life and is an inspiration to many. He and his family will remain in our thoughts and prayers as he faces this latest challenge in his life.
