Shan and I were blessed to have heard President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School in Plains twice. One of the times he discussed my favorite Bible story – when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. In that lesson, he emphasizes the need to reach out to the marginalized, the rejected, the poor, those in need, and the foreigner. It is a lesson that he lived his entire life.
Jimmy Carter was a model public servant. He was a graduate of the US Naval Academy, an engineer, a submariner, a peanut farmer, a state senator, and the Governor of Georgia. As President, Jimmy Carter negotiated the Camp David Accords which brought together two mortal enemies – Israel and Egypt – to a lasting peace agreement. He negotiated the Panama Canal Treaties which I believe were the most important treaties between the US and Latin America in the 20th century. He was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was an environmentalist who was the first president to promote green energy. He and Rosalynn created the Carter Center which fights diseases and promotes democracy and human rights throughout the world. He was the author of 32 bestselling books. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and a Sunday School teacher. His life-long partner, Rosalynn, shared his commitment to public service.
Carter was what some would call a progressive evangelical. Influenced by his mother's rejection of racism, he befriended the only black midshipman at the Naval Academy. For this he was labeled a "n----r lover." He left the Navy after his father's death and returned to the family farm and business. He refused to join the White Citizen's Council, which was supported by the vast majority of southern white evangelicals. He did this despite a boycott of his peanut business. In his inaugural address as Governor of Georgia he called for an end to segregation. He spoke out for women's equality within the Church concerning leadership positions. Ultimately these and his positions on abortion and homosexuality led him to leave the Southern Baptist Convention and reject today's version of the white evangelical movement.
While most people consider his post-presidential years to be a role model for all citizens, many consider his presidency to be an economic failure. He inherited an inflation rate of more than 6 percent and an energy crisis (oil shortage) both of which become dramatically worse after the Iranian Revolution. To fight a 13 percent inflation rate, Paul Volker, appointed by Carter as chair of the FED, instituted a tight money policy which led to a recession and high unemployment but ultimately reduced the inflation rate during Reagan's first term. Carter knew that the tight money policy could cost him the election, but it was the only policy that could realistically reduce inflation. Looking back, it was the correct and courageous economic decision.
After his presidency, he spoke out against Israeli policies. He argued that the building of the wall between Israel and the West Bank, the tremendous growth of Israeli illegal settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, restrictions on Palestinian travel within the West Bank and access to Israel, and the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank were major obstacles to the peace process. In his book Palestine: Peace not Apartheid he stated, “Israel’s continued control and colonization of Palestinian land have been the primary obstacles to a comprehensive peace agreement in the Holy Land.” His opinion, controversial in the US and Israel, came to be supported by B'Tselem, the Israeli organization that documents human rights violations in the West Bank. Today, I along with many more, have come to believe that he was and still is correct on this issue.
I believe that Jimmy Carter was a role model as to what it means to be a US citizen and a true public servant. He was a true national treasure. Just as Senator John McCain, Carter lived a life in which character mattered, character is destiny.
"We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes - and we must." from his Nobel Lecture.
Rest in peace Mr. President…you are now reunited with your bride of 77 years, Rosalynn.
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