President Joe Biden honored former President Jimmy Carter as “an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” after the nation’s 39th commander-in-chief died on Sunday.
“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 in a statement. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.”
Carter, who died at age 100, was the longest-living former president. Biden said an official state funeral for Carter will be held in Washington, D.C.
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Biden delivered remarks on Sunday evening, honoring his “dear friend” and highlighting his career accomplishments, as well as the bond they shared over the impact cancer has had on their families.
“This is a sad day, but it brings back an incredible amount of good memories,” Biden said during remarks in Christiansted, Saint Croix, where the president is currently on vacation. “Today, America and the world, in my view, lost a remarkable leader.”
“Jimmy Carter stands as a model of what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose, life of principle, faith and humility, his life dedicated to others,” Biden said. “Jimmy Carter is an example of simple decency.”
Biden was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter when the Democrat ran for president against Gerald Ford in 1976, according to the Carter Library.
The president on Sunday pointed to his support for then-Governor Carter, as one of his fondest memories. He described how Carter grabbed Biden by the arm to help him with his campaign, and how Carter said that Biden’s support would make a difference.
“I told him, when I was endorsing him, that it was not only his policies, but his character, his decency, the honor he communicates to everyone,” Biden said.
Almost a half-century later, Cater returned the favor when he supported Biden in 2020, calling him a “loyal and dedicated friend.” However, Carter was unable to attend Biden’s inauguration – marking the first time the 39th president missed a presidential handoff ceremony since he took the oath of office in 1977.
“Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend,” Biden said in the statement. “But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.”
In a statement with First Lady Jill Biden, the president said they cherished Carter’s relationship with his wife Rosalynn, saying it was “the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.” Rosalynn Carter died in November 2023 at the age of 96.
While Biden honored his longtime friend in his statement, he also called on Americans to study the former president’s life and principles.
“And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
