Remembering Jimmy Carter

As this week’s edition of the Dodge County Independent comes in your mailbox, Americans are taking time to remember President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29, age 100, at his home in Plains, Ga.
His state funeral is being held today at the National Cathedral in Washington DC.
Often, he is remembered as a one-term president. He came to Washington as an outsider, previously serving as governor of Georgia. His administration did have many accomplishments, including the Camp David Accords and political agreements with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. He also created a new national energy policy.
But it was also during his term that American hostages were taken by radicals in Iran and the country faced an energy crisis and inflation. Despite a failed American military attempt those hostages were not freed until Ronald Reagan was sworn-in as president.
Initially, his was considered a failed presidency although as is often the case views do change as years go by.
But despite what the ultimate verdict may be on his presidency, Jimmy Carter’s real legacy is what he accomplished after he left Washington.
When he and his wife, Rosalyn, left the White House and returned to Plains, Carter did not take the route that many former president’s do. He did not hit the speaking circuit making speeches that brought him wealth. He did not join boards of directors.
He did what was he felt his strong faith called him to do. He helped others and tried to make the world a better place.
The Carter Center was founded by the Carters in Atlanta, Ga., focused on Human Rights. Both he and Rosalyn became involved in Habitat for Humanity with Carter not serving as a well-known spokesperson for the organization but actually going to work sites, picking up a hammer and helping to build houses.
He stayed close to his roots. He was born in Plains, living there until he left to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. It was there in Plains he met Rosalyn and they returned to the community after they married. It was from Plains he rose to be Georgia’s governor and ultimately president. His Christian faith was the cornerstone of all he did. Until well into his 90s he was teaching Sunday School at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.
Carter, along with Rosalyn who was his lifelong companion on the journey, exemplified what is best in America and its people. Always known as Jimmy, not his legal name of James Earl Carter Jr., he would likely say he was an average American.
In these days of political challenges, changes and turmoil, we would do well to remember what an average American with moral convictions, humility and a servant’s heart can do to change the world.