Jimmy Carter remembered as humanitarian and statesman

Nick Schifrin:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

Former President Jimmy Carter tonight is being remembered as a humanitarian and statesman more than 40 years after leaving the White House. The 39th president, who died yesterday at 100, will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol next week before his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.

Laura Barron-Lopez begins our coverage.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Flags were lowered to half-staff across the country and around the world. And Americans of all backgrounds paused to remember late former President Jimmy Carter.

Rebecca Schmidt, Mourning Jimmy Carter:

Jimmy Carter has always been a hero of mine.

Cheryl Jones, California Resident:

He was just a good man, a decent man, an honest man, something we don't see very much of anymore.

Jim Dewyea, New York Resident:

He was a great humanitarian. He set the example for all of us, and we're going to miss him.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

From peanut farmer to president, Carter served one term in the White House from 1977 to 1981. He brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and Egypt.

But an energy crisis at home and the kidnapping of 52 Americans in Iran led to his defeat in 1980. Carter's life post-presidency was defined by his international humanitarian work. He and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his diplomatic achievements.

Last night, President Biden broke from his family vacation to pay tribute to his longtime friend.

Joe Biden, President of the United States: Millions of people all around the world, all over the world feel they lost a friend as well, even though they never met him. And that's because Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words, but by his deeds.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Former presidents from across the political spectrum also weighed in. President-elect Donald Trump has been critical of Carter in the past, but he wrote last night that: "He truly loved and respected our country and all it stands for."

Former President Barack Obama said that Carter "believed some things were more important than reelection, things like integrity, respect and compassion."

The former president will be laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, next to his wife of more than 75 years, Rosalynn, who passed away in 2023. One of the couple's final public interviews was with the "News Hour"'s Judy Woodruff back in 2021.

Judy Woodruff:

As you think back on your presidency and your time as a former president, what are you most proud of? And is there a big regret you have?

Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States: I would say that we did what we pledged to do in the campaign. We kept the peace and we obeyed the law and we told the truth and we honored human rights.

Those were the things that were important to me.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Laura Barron-Lopez.