The only time I voted for a winner in a presidential election was 1976 and Jimmy Carter and since that day I have never regretted my decision….many criticize his presidency but few have achieved anything near what he was capable of doing.
Today is Carter’s 100th birthday…..and the country should be honoring him….
A benefit concert and the construction of 30 new homes are among the many events marking former President Carter’s 100th birthday on Oct. 1, reports the AP. The star-studded concert at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre earlier in September raised money to support the international programs of the Carter Center, which Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded in 1982 with the mission to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope.” The concert airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting on Oct. 1. More on the soon-to-be centenarian:
- Houses: Thousands of Habitat for Humanity volunteers gathered Monday to build 30 homes in St. Paul, Minnesota, over five days, led by country music giants Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who worked alongside the Carters for years. The Carters’ relationship with Habitat for Humanity stretches back 40 years, to when the couple went to New York City on a build in 1984.
- More on those houses: “The image of a president of the United States sleeping in a church basement and physically helping rehab a tenement building captured the world,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat. The Carters went on to build homes annually for 35 years.
- Legacy: “I think he has probably done more personally in his post-presidency than anyone else because he’s not out there looking for attention,” says presidential historian Cassandra Newby-Alexander, professor of Virginia Black history and culture at Norfolk State University. “He’s not out there trying to make money for himself. He’s out there trying to live the life of … a true Christian, one who cares about the poor and the homeless and the children.”
- A different kind of philanthropy: Carter’s giving came in the form of his seemingly ceaseless personal effort, not so much his dollars. From building homes to monitoring elections and pursuing the elimination of a neglected disease, Carter used his stature and presence to rally resources and attention.
- Smallpox: The Carter Center made a commitment to eradicate Guinea worm disease in 1986. Carter vowed to outlive the last such parasite. Even after Carter entered hospice in February 2023, says Dr. Jordan Tappero, deputy director for neglected tropical diseases at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has given $263 million to the Carter Center since 2000, Carter was still contacting his team. “He still wants updates and wants to know what’s going on because his mind will never stop until the last heartbeat,” Tappero said in March 2023.
- And back to Habitat: Cleora Taylor met the Carters in 2018 when they helped build 41 new homes in South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana. Taylor said Carter, 93 at the time, helped her put up a kitchen wall in her four-bedroom home. “It was just so amazing that he still was out here, outside at that age, working with us,” she said. “It made us want to work harder. Not only did I get to meet Jimmy Carter and his wife and his children. … I get to own a piece of the world.”
If there was a sainthood for presidents Carter would be the only one so far. Once he left the presidency he chose to serve the world and the nation…instead of what most ex-presidents do go in search of more fame and chase the cash.
Something most ex-presidents lack….selflessness.
So far he is the only ex-president that I have respect for in any way.
Happy Birthday Mr. President….and thank you.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
Got to hear and shake hands with him early 1976 just before Florida primary. Autograph too. At a community center in North Miami , Florida with maybe only a hundred attendees. I felt empathy for him as he couldn’t give any public conferences and before press without whole thing bombarded with hostage questions. Much of his policy attempts were blocked by vindictive Ted Kennedy. Admired his shameless Christian faith expression. Still have peanut t-shirt with big peanut and “The Grin Will Win ” slogan fron 1976 campaign. .
Very fortunate…..the hostage thing is all people will remember….sad as it was it was not his fault. chuq
I always liked Carter. He was a much better president than people give him credit for and what he did after his presidency speaks for itself. I was was with Habitat for Humanity for some time, largely because of the publicity his involvement generated. I’d never even heard of it before he volunteered with the organization. I eventually ended up on the board of directors of the local group before work commitments made it impossible for me to keep up with it.
I agree that he was a much better president than people want to remember….he is selfless……not many others can say that. chuq
Of course some will have issues with his political POV and that’s fine, but no one can suggest he was anything but an honorable person who really did put country over self…thanks for this great tribute…I was too young to vote when he was President but always admired him…in a world where the most cynical, evil people have power he was an example of why it doesn’t need to be this way
I agree completely these people nowadays want to be disagreeable and evil for whatever reason…..Carter is truly saint material. chuq
He did well to get to 100, and remained really popular in old age. As things stand, I reckon he was one of the ‘better ones’.
Best wishes, Pete.
Of the modern presidents he is the best one. chuq
I was also too young to vote. Happy 100 birthday, Jimmy Carter.
He is a great man….but will history remember him fondly? chuq