Former President Jimmy Carter is staying home this year’s Democratic National Convention, but his grandson Jason Carter took the stage Tuesday night and delivered a speech in his honor, which included an update on the 99-year-old Georgia native.
“Paw Paw is holding on,” he stated. “He’s hopeful, and though his body may be weak tonight, his spirit is as strong as ever.”
Jimmy Carter, who turns 100 in October, is the longest-living president in American history and the only one from Georgia.
He started hospice care in early 2023. Jason Carter, a former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate, stated in May that he feels his grandfather is reaching the end of his life, but has subsequently stated that his grandfather intends to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
“My grandfather is excited to vote for Kamala Harris.” “She reminds us all that America’s promise has not changed,” Jason Carter stated.
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Jimmy Carter’s wife of 77 years, died in November.
“I can tell you that he wishes he could be here tonight,” Jason Carter revealed. “He and my grandmother lived their lives with strong faith in God, regard for human dignity, honesty, and a dedication to loving their neighbors as themselves. These values guided them throughout their lives, including their four years in the White House and the subsequent four decades. For my grandfather, it was never about celebrity, recognition, plaudits, or prizes; his legacy is defined by the people he has impacted and the good he has done.”
“Kamala Harris carries my grandfather’s legacy,” he said. “She recognizes what is right and fights for it. She realizes that leadership is about service, not selfishness; that you can exhibit strength while also demonstrating decency; and that a smile can do far more than a frown.
Democrats from all around the country gathered at the United Center on Tuesday to wish Jimmy Carter well and share joyful memories.
Kevin Jacobson, an alternate delegate from Wisconsin, said he wasn’t around during the Carter era but started to investigate Carter after learning that he had solar panels erected on the White House in 1979.
“He was very present; I think he was looking very forward,” Jacobson informed me. “He did so much for renewable energy before we even realized what climate change was. So I’ve always been grateful to him. He comes from such humble beginnings, and I believe the Democratic Party should return to those roots.”
Josefine Jaynes, a fellow Wisconsin resident, concurred.
“Something that has always struck me about Jimmy Carter is that he is a man of faith. I believe sometimes Democrats are afraid to talk about faith and lean into faith, but Jimmy Carter demonstrated that Republicans don’t own Christianity, so I really appreciate how important his faith is to him.”
According to reports, Carter will continue to teach Sunday school classes at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, his birthplace, until 2020.
According to Jake Metcalfe, former party chair of the Democratic Party in Alaska, people remember Carter for the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which protected more than 100 million acres of land.
“His administration was responsible for providing land for parks, which was controversial at the time, but he saved a lot of the country and helped preserve Alaska’s land,” Metcalfe told the newspaper. “Some people see him as a hero; some people see him as a president who prevented development, but I think more people in Alaska like him now and are happy with what he did.”
Metcalfe claimed to be in the latter camp.
“He’s going to go down as one of our better presidents, and, you know, he’s one of the few guys—a few presidents—who has basically not cashed in and has done a lot for his country and his community,” Trump added.
More people recognized Carter’s post-presidency achievements, such as his work as a mediator and volunteer. He was particularly well-known for turning up at Habitat for Humanity project sites and assisting in the construction of homes well into his advanced years.
“I’m glad of what he has done, what he’s accomplished in his life and how he’s been able to leave a footprint to show what you can do after your presidency,” Leroy Comrie, a senator from New York, told reporters. “I aspire for others to emulate him, finding a cause or issue they are passionate about and dedicating their time and effort to it, without worrying about election outcomes.”