President Biden Leads Celebrations for Jimmy Carter’s 100th Birthday

 

President Joe Biden extended heartfelt congratulations to former President Jimmy Carter on Tuesday as he celebrated his 100th birthday, marking a historic milestone as the first U.S. president to reach this age.

Carter, who entered hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, 19 months ago, is reportedly eager to cast his vote for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, as shared by his grandson, Jason Carter.

To honor Carter’s centennial, the White House displayed large letters reading “Happy Birthday President Carter” along with the number 100 outside its north portico. In an emotional statement, Biden, who was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, described him as “a moral force for our nation and the world,” emphasizing Carter’s hopeful vision and commitment to improving humanity.

Former President Barack Obama also joined in the celebration, posting a video message on X (formerly Twitter) expressing gratitude for Carter's friendship and service through the Carter Center. He said, “Happy 100th birthday, President Carter! Michelle and I are grateful for all you’ve done for this country.”

Carter, who served from January 1977 to January 1981, faced significant challenges during his presidency, including high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. However, historians have begun to reassess his legacy, recognizing his foresight on issues like climate change. After leaving office, Carter dedicated decades to humanitarian work, promoting human rights and poverty alleviation globally, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

In celebration of Carter’s milestone, a tribute concert featuring prominent country, rock, and gospel artists was held at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre last month, raising over $1 million for the Carter Center's international programs. Carter is expected to watch the concert, which will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

The former president has been married to Rosalynn Carter for 77 years; she passed away in November last year. Carter was last seen in public during her funeral, where he appeared frail and used a wheelchair. He was diagnosed with cancer and other health issues, opting to forgo further medical intervention and enter hospice care in February 2023.

Carter is set to celebrate his birthday in the same one-story home he built with Rosalynn in the early 1960s, long before his political career began. His grandson, Jason Carter, remarked on the significance of reaching such a milestone, noting, “Not everybody gets 100 years on this earth... it’s worth celebrating.” He added that this time has allowed the family and the world to reflect on Carter’s impactful life.

As Georgia prepares for early voting beginning October 15, Jason shared his grandfather’s excitement about the upcoming election. In honor of Carter’s birthday, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, including country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, will build 30 homes in St. Paul, Minnesota, emphasizing the Carters' legacy of service and community involvement. Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, stated that the project serves as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when people unite for a common cause.