UPDATED, with further Biden remarks: President Joe Biden paid tribute to his “great friend” and predecessor within the White House, Jimmy Carter, as a person of “simple decency” who “lived a life measured not by words, but by his deeds.”
In remarks in St. Croix within the U.S. Virgin Islands, the place Biden is on trip, the president additionally recalled the help that Carter and his spouse, Rosalynn, gave to him after his son, Beau, died of most cancers.
“Jimmy knew the ravages of the disease too well,” Biden stated. “He lost his father, his brother, his sisters, to this terrible disease. So when Jimmy was diagnosed, we did our best to comfort him.” Carter’s mind most cancers, identified in 2015, went into remission.
“In today’s world, someone could [look] at Jimmy Carter and see a man of a bygone era with honesty and character. Faith and humility mattered. But I don’t believe it’s a bygone era. I see a man not only of our time, but for all times, someone who embodies the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away.”
Like Carter, Biden is leaving workplace after one time period. A reporter requested the president what impressed him in regards to the thirty ninth president, whose post-presidential humanitarian work helped earn him the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Never give up hope. Never give up hope,” Biden stated. “I mean it from the bottom of my heart. So much negative this month.”
“I think that what Jimmy Carter is an example of is just simple decency, simple decency, and I think that is what the rest of the world looks to America for,” Biden stated.
In an earlier assertion, Biden stated that he shall be ordering an official state funeral for the previous president, however that particulars have been nonetheless being organized with Carter’s household.
Traditionally, throughout such ceremonies, the previous president lies in state on the Capitol Rotunda, adopted by a funeral at Washington National Cathedral. The flag on the White House additionally was lowered to half workers this night.
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian,” Biden stated in his assertion.
“Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. 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.”
Biden stated final 12 months that Carter had requested him to ship his eulogy. Biden was the primary sitting U.S. senator to endorse Carter’s presidential bid in 1975, when his run for the White House was nonetheless thought-about a protracted shot bid.
“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. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe,” Biden stated.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.”
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Carter and Rosalynn Carter at their dwelling in Plains in 2021. “We sat and talked about the old days,” Biden stated, per the AP. Rosalynn Carter died final 12 months. The Carters had been married for 77 years.
“We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts,” Biden stated in his assertion.
“To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy.
“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. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
The Carters have been current on the final state funeral, held in 2018 for former President George H.W. Bush.