In Memoriam 2024: President Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) Tribute List

Centenarian Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President (1977–1981), was known for a wide array of accomplishments including the implementation of a national energy policy, arrangement of the 1978 Camp David Agreement between Israel and Egypt and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, and establishment of the Departments of Energy and Education. He expanded the national park system, improved the Social Security system, and appointed women and minorities to a record number of Government jobs.
His post-presidency activities were equally laudatory. A person of deep Christian faith, he was a lifelong civil rights advocate. He and Rosalynn, his wife of 77 years, cofounded and led the Carter Center, which has promoted human rights, conducted peace negotiations, monitored elections, and furthered the eradication of infectious diseases. He and Rosalynn were key figures in the nonprofit housing organization Habitat for Humanity. In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for untiring efforts promoting peace, human rights, and democracy internationally.
Throughout his life, Carter was a peanut farmer, politician, president, philanthropist, human rights activist, diplomat, humanitarian, Sunday school teacher, artist, writer, and a devoted husband and father. In President Biden's words, "[Carter is] a model of what it means to live a life of meaning…purpose…principle, faith and humility." This tribute highlights President Carter's legacy through biographical and historical data, as well as personal quotes.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. diplomatic
    relating to negotiation between nations
    The former president, a peanut farmer turned politician, was known as much for his charity and diplomatic work later in life as he was for his single presidential term, which ended in 1981.
    – The New York Times
  2. politics
    the activities involved in managing a state or a government
    Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights.
    – ABC News
  3. staunch
    firm and dependable especially in loyalty
    Carter's experience of the Great Depression and staunch Baptist faith underpinned his political philosophy.
    – BBC
  4. reconciliation
    the reestablishment of cordial relations
    The pope noted Carter's "firm commitment" to "the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defense of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need," the statement said.
    – CNN
  5. integrity
    moral soundness
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has praised late President Jimmy Carter for his "integrity, compassion" and "commitment to advancing the freedom, security and welfare of others" particularly in areas of foreign policy.
    – CNN
  6. principled
    based on or demonstrating morality or rightness
    He [Antony Blinken] said that Carter was a pioneer in demonstrating how "tireless, principled diplomacy" could help forge peace between nations at war, citing a landmark deal Carter made mediating conflict between Israel and Egypt.
    – CNN
  7. philanthropist
    someone who makes charitable donations
    Throughout his lifetime, Jimmy Carter held many titles: 39th president of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize winner, philanthropist, humanitarian, artist — and writer.
    – NPR
  8. indefatigable
    showing sustained enthusiasm with unflagging vitality
    His most enduring legacy, though, might be as a globetrotting elder statesman and human rights pioneer during an indefatigable 43-year "retirement."
    – CNN
  9. habitat
    the type of environment in which an organism normally lives
    Over the more than four decades that followed his presidency, Jimmy Carter built homes for Habitat for Humanity, traveled the globe as an emissary and oversaw his namesake organization on missions of peace, democracy and global health.
    – The New York Times
  10. emissary
    someone sent to represent another's interests
    Over the more than four decades that followed his presidency, Jimmy Carter built homes for Habitat for Humanity, traveled the globe as an emissary and oversaw his namesake organization on missions of peace, democracy and global health.
    – The New York Times
  11. moral
    concerned with principles of right and wrong
    In October, for Carter's 100th birthday, President Joe Biden recognized him...saying: "Mr. President, you've always been a moral force for our nation and the world. I recognized that as a young senator. That's why I supported you so early. You're a voice of courage, conviction, compassion, and most of all, a beloved friend of Jill and me and our family."
    – NBC News
  12. conviction
    an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
    In October, for Carter's 100th birthday, President Joe Biden recognized him...saying: "Mr. President, you've always been a moral force for our nation and the world. I recognized that as a young senator. That's why I supported you so early. You're a voice of courage, conviction, compassion, and most of all, a beloved friend of Jill and me and our family."
    – NBC News
  13. alleviate
    provide physical relief, as from pain
    A man deeply committed to social justice and basic human rights, President Carter dedicated himself to alleviating human suffering.
    – Habitat for Humanity
  14. humanitarian
    someone devoted to the promotion of welfare and reform
    We have been deeply honored to have two of the world's most distinguished humanitarians as dedicated Habitat volunteers for more than 35 years.
    – Habitat for Humanity
  15. humility
    a lack of arrogance or false pride
    Recalling that Carter kept teaching Sunday school at the Baptist church in Plains long after his presidency, Mr. Biden...told reporters, "In today's world, some look at Jimmy Carter and see a man of a bygone era — with honesty and character, faith and humility. It mattered. But I don't believe it's a bygone era....We would all do well to be a little more like Jimmy Carter."
    – CBS News
  16. exemplary
    worthy of imitation
    The president praised Carter's exemplary post-presidency — he worked for decades to eradicate disease not only at home, but also abroad, and also sought to "enforce peace, advance civil rights, human rights, free and fair elections around the world," and to help with his own hands to build housing for the homeless.
    – CBS News
  17. eradicate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
    The president praised Carter's exemplary post-presidency — he worked for decades to eradicate disease not only at home, but also abroad, and also sought to "enforce peace, advance civil rights, human rights, free and fair elections around the world," and to help with his own hands to build housing for the homeless.
    – CBS News
  18. deprivation
    act of withholding food or money or rights
    I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States.
    – A Call to Action
  19. humanity
    the quality of being compassionate and kind
    "War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children. The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices."
    – USA Today
  20. scourge
    something causing misery or death
    "Every day in the United States, seventeen children are killed by gunfire. That's about 6,000 children each year who are killed by guns, as compared, for example, with about 3,000 a year who died at the height of the polio epidemic of the 1950s. We rose up as a society to fight against polio. Why do we not act more forcefully to halt today’s even greater scourge?"
    – USA Today
Created on Mon Dec 30 20:58:39 EST 2024 (updated Tue Jan 07 11:44:35 EST 2025)

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