Jimmy Carter, the farmer, president and Nobel peace crusader, dies at 100
Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today released the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and a renowned humanitarian leader:
“I met Jimmy Carter in 1976 at the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction. It was just before the New Hampshire primary, and I was struck by his empathy, his compassion, and his dedication to public service. I wasn't surprised when this humble peanut farmer defied the odds and won.
“During his presidency, Jimmy Carter was an early advocate for energy efficiency, solar power, and environmental protection. He wanted to safeguard our planet for future generations, far before such advocacy was common. He was a veteran and worked to foster peace and stability around the world—defying expectations to broker the landmark Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.
“President Carter, in partnership with his wife Rosalynn, was dedicated to helping working families succeed and strengthening this country. Jimmy’s commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous future should be an example to all of us, and his kindness and selflessness should be the goal every public servant and every American strives to live up to.
“Whether it was his achievements in the White House or his post-presidential endeavors, President Carter’s legacy will always be one of great compassion for his neighbors here at home and abroad. The Carter Center’s work to advance democracy and economic freedom, protect human rights, and prevent the spread of disease is an incredible testament to his continued commitment to humanitarian causes. His Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2002, was well-deserved.
“President Carter will be sorely missed. Margaret and I send our condolences to his family and the many people in Georgia, across America, and around the world who benefited from Jimmy and Rosalynn’s legacy of goodwill.”
Central VT Habitat for Humanity mourns the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
MONTPELIER, VT (12/30/2024)—Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances around the world to remember his life of service. He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
“I’m touched by the tributes following President Carter’s passing. His work helped make Habitat for Humanity one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable organizations, making it easier for us to recruit volunteers and raise funds for our mission of building affordable housing in partnership with income-sensitive people. It’s an honor to be part of an organization that meant so much to him, and the more I learn about him, the more I think we should all strive to live by his example,” said Zachariah Watson, Executive director of Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity.
“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with the rest of the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia, soon bringing worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map, and their legacy will live on in every family we serve around the world.”
After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then until 2019, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.
“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired, and wept.”
Over the last three decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.
In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat for Humanity will be celebrating President Carter’s life of service with local observances. To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org.
Photos and videos of President and Mrs. Carter volunteering with Habitat for Humanity are available at habitat.ngo/cwpphotos.
About Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity
Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity, Inc. is an affordable housing non-profit. It builds and rehabilitates housing and offers affordable, zero or low interest, mortgages for income sensitive Vermonters. CVHFH also completes critical home repairs for income qualifying homeowners and is located in Vermont State's Capital, Montpelier, VT and serves towns in Washington and Orange Counties. A local Greensboro collaboration also works in the towns of Craftsbury, Glover, Greensboro, and Hardwick in Orleans County.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can
help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
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