President Jimmy Carter in Remembrance
President Jimmy Carter Goes Home
Editor: Jimmy Carter’s state funeral is over and he has gone home. Rest in Peace, Jimmy.
By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel
Man of the People
I have many sweet and wonderful memories of President James Earl Carter, Jr., a man of God and true humanitarian, dedicated to social justice, human rights, and the betterment of regular everyday Americans, no matter their color. He embodied integrity. Jimmy made it one of his missions while in office to promote fair elections globally, and to eradicate serious diseases worldwide. His Presidency, despite economic challenges, and long lines at the gas pump, was full of historically important achievements, such as the establishment of a brand new Bureau of Labor and Democracy at the State Department, as well as creating the Cabinet-level Departments of Education and Energy. President Carter architected peace between Israel and Egypt with the Camp David Accords; additionally he made our country’s National Park System a strong priority.
Up Close…
I had the pleasure of being in Mr. Carter’s company twice. I recall as a teenager standing in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a cold day during the tail end of his re-election campaign, waiting for his motorcade to arrive outside of Gimbel’s department store, my hair in curls, dressed in a blue plaid coat and tan *pleather gloves. The crowd was large and enthusiastic, but I managed to get up front.
…And Personal
The strong media presence and sea of people made it difficult to see President Carter. Realizing this, Jimmy jumped up to stand on the back seat of his convertible vehicle – he had a bit of pancake makeup on for the cameras, but that million dollar smile was completely genuine. I was thrilled, he stood right in front of me in the car and I gave him one of my big beauty pageant smiles in return. He noticed me and bent down to shake my hand – just as his fingers nearly touched mine, a Secret Service agent got between us, then the motorcade sped away. I was so very impressed that he cared enough to take a young girl’s hand in a large crowd. He had no idea I was even old enough to vote but he saw me smile and reached his hand out.
My Vote
I did vote for him, the very first person I ever voted for; in my very first election. Sadly, he was not re-elected. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I was a registered Republican at the time. But, I knew that the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, cared enough about people to try to shake the hand of a teenager in the huge crowd. That act of kindness, truly touching, not political, was just nice.
Some Things Never Change
Months prior to my experience on that downtown street corner, I competed in the Miss Teen Pennsylvania pageant. Lainey, the winner, insulted our President during an onstage question. The first runner up and I were shocked that she won and her answer received applause. Unfortunately, even back then, extreme conservatism existed, and history repeats itself today. Insulting the highest elected official in the land at that time I felt was very rude. Little did I know that in just a few years I would be firing off repeated insults at Donald Trump when he took office in 2017.
Remembering the Goodness
The difference between Jimmy and the Donald, is that Jimmy Carter didn’t deserve the criticism – he was a good man, as people have been pointing out in the various tributes for him. He was in my opinion a great man. It is very fitting that President Biden, another unfairly judged Democratic President a leader for the people, delivered President Carter’s eulogy. Carter’s National Day of Mourning (January 9th, 2024) declared by President Joe Biden is certainly an appropriate tribute to our former President Carter. The Carter family requests donations to the Carter Center in lieu of flowers.
Family Man
I recall television campaigns reminding our nation that we needed Jimmy Carter. The jingle sung over and over for the peanut farmer from Georgia; his campaign included a controversial Playboy interview that was as honest as the man himself. A devoted husband to beautiful First Lady Rosalyn, wonderful father to adorable Amy, and dedicated son to his absolutely amazing mother Lillian. President Carter handled his very embarrassing brother Billy with dignity and aplomb. He was class and sense personified.
In Line for Greatness
Many years after my experience in Pennsylvania, I had yet another pleasant encounter with the former, favorite President of mine. It was a book signing in Winnetka, in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Once again a very cold day, dressed in black leggings and a tunic, bundled up for the weather, second in line to get my book signed. My husband and I were thrilled to be in the same room with Jimmy Carter. The first woman in the line took too long with him, and we were rushed through, once again missing my opportunity to shake President Carter’s hand, but still impressed with his calm, quiet demeanor.
Thinking of Others
This farmer from Plains, Georgia, will go down in history as one of our best Presidents. He was humble and sincere in everything he did. Jimmy was genuine in his concern for the Iranian hostages, for instance, only allowing the uppermost part of the White House National Christmas Tree to be lit by his daughter Amy until the political captives returned home safely. He admitted hurt when he wasn’t reelected. Mrs. Carter and I were on the same page, completely disagreeing with Ronald Reagan‘s politics, but similar to this most recent election, the results were shocking that both the Ronald and “The Donald” won. Graciously, Jimmy accepted defeat, and at least President Reagan gave President Carter the opportunity to handle the resolution to the Iranian hostage crisis that Jimmy was responsible for negotiating and resolving – always a man of peace. His time in office was for humanity, not himself.
Man of Service
I love that Jimmy wanted to live long enough to vote for Vice President Harris, and I despise the fact that the evil narcissist Donald Trump has the audacity to object to flags being flown at half-mast for President Carter because of the orange monster’s pending inauguration. This makes my blood simmer, to be very honest. No other President would take exception to this, but Donald Trump will never be a real president.
Humble Humanity
Our 39th President was selfless, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, thanking President Ford for helping to heal our nation after Nixon and Watergate. Jimmy Carter was class, kindness, and dignity personified. His more recent trips, well after leaving office, to garner and cultivate peace, were as impressive as his presidency, sincere and free of any scandal. President Carter, a very deserving Nobel Peace Prize winner, was all about a harmonious world and equality for everyone.
Laughs and Kisses
Jimmy was not a politician, but he was an amazing President. His legendary time in office and his wonderful sense of humor were mentioned in the sitcom “Designing Women” and Rich Little‘s “The First Family Rides Again” album. President Carter knew how to laugh, too; his infectious smile and jovial attitude were so refreshing. He and his beautiful wife were even caught on a “kiss cam”, not just once but at least three times: the first two at Atlanta Braves game in September of 2015 and October a year later, then again during an Atlanta Hawks contest on Valentine’s Day just under six years ago – the very loving husband until the end.
Spirit and Truth
We had the pleasure of reviewing a play a few years ago about “Five Presidents” attending the 1994 funeral of Richard Nixon, and Jimmy was one of the Presidents portrayed. We spoke to the actor that played President Carter and he was thrilled to portray him, honored to say the least. Trump was in office at the time; along with another member of the cast, we joined hands and prayed in the lobby. President Carter likely would have participated, had he been there. He was a man of strong faith, integrity, and nobility, a true genteel gentleman that I will always admire and respect. Thank you, President Jimmy Carter, for your service, a legacy of love.
*Pleather, or polyurethane leather, is a synthetic material that imitates the look and feel of genuine leather.
