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The death of former President Jimmy Carter brought with it special sentiments from fellow members of the “very exclusive club.”

Having lived a century, the peanut farmer turned politician and humanitarian reportedly passed peacefully Sunday, surrounded by family at his home in Georgia, as the longest-lived American president. Not long after the news broke, the incumbent, president-elect, and each of the surviving former presidents released their own statements along with their spouses in memoriam.

Honoring the 39th president, President-elect Donald Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th commander-in-chief, offered his reaction as he’d posted on Truth Social, “I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter.”

“Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” continued Trump. “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”

“Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time,” added the president-elect. “We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”

At greater length, President Joe Biden’s statement recognized the career of Carter with a special mention that, “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,” contended the president who went on to speak of peace efforts, work with Habitat for Humanity and service in the U.S. Navy.

“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,” stated Biden who went on to suggest, “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.”

Where former President Barack Obama was concerned, a picture was painted through Carter’s involvement in Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia which he described as filled with “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” on some Sunday mornings, each with their own reflections on what the 39th president had accomplished during his tenure in the White House and beyond.

“Marantha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels,” wrote Obama. “Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man.”

Former President George W. Bush spoke directly to the surviving family as he stated, “Laura and I send our heartfelt condolences to Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family.” He went on to express, “James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions.”

“He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations,” said Bush. “We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and in prayer for his family.”

Rounding out the responses, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared gratitude for Carter’s life with their own highlights of his career of service.

“From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia;” began Clinton, “to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-Presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity–her worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world.”

“Hillary and I met President Carter in 1975 and were proud, early supporters of his Presidential campaign,” he went on. “I will always be proud to have presented the Medal of Freedom to him and Rosalynn in 1999, and to have worked with him in the years after he left the White House.”

With Jan. 9, 2025, appointed a National Day of Mourning by Biden, plans were still being finalized for the late president to lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. as well as the Georgia State Capitol, in addition to a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral before being laid to rest in his hometown of Plains.

Kevin Haggerty
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