In Memoriam: President Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) A Legacy of Service, Peace, and Humanitarian Leadership

Presidential Tribute & Personal Reflection

In the quiet town of Plains, Georgia, where his remarkable journey began nearly a century ago, President Jimmy Carter's earthly sojourn came to an end, surrounded by the love of his family and the gratitude of a nation. His passing at the age of 100 marks not merely the conclusion of a life but the close of an era that embodied the finest qualities of American leadership and humanitarian service. The 39th President of the United States leaves behind a legacy that transcends political boundaries and temporal constraints, having redefined both the presidency and the very meaning of post-presidential service.

The arc of Jimmy Carter's life reads like a uniquely American story—from a humble peanut farmer in Georgia to the highest office in the land and then on to become perhaps the most consequential former president in our nation's history. His journey was marked by an unwavering commitment to truth, morality, and human dignity that seemed to grow stronger with each passing year. The magnitude of his impact on global affairs, human rights, and humanitarian causes cannot be overstated, yet it was his fundamental decency and moral clarity that truly set him apart in an age of increasing cynicism.

A Presidency of Principle and Peace

In reflecting upon President Carter's tenure in the White House, we must acknowledge both the triumphs and complexities that defined his administration. While the Camp David Accords stand as a significant diplomatic achievement, they also represent an incomplete journey toward comprehensive regional peace. The agreement between Israel and Egypt demonstrated Carter's exceptional ability to bring opposing parties together, yet its promise of Palestinian self-determination and territorial rights remained unfulfilled in the decades that followed.

The Accords' framework explicitly called for Palestinian autonomy and the end of Israeli military governance in the West Bank and Gaza, envisioning a path toward Palestinian self-determination. Carter himself would later express deep concern about the incomplete implementation of these crucial provisions. Throughout his post-presidency, he became an increasingly vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, drawing criticism for his candid assessments of the obstacles to peace, including ongoing settlement expansion and the denial of basic human rights.

His 2006 book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" revealed his profound concern for the Palestinian people's struggle and his willingness to risk political capital to speak out on their behalf. Carter's evolving position reflected his deeper understanding of the region's complexities and his unwavering commitment to human rights for all peoples. While the Egypt-Israel peace treaty has endured, Carter's broader vision of a just and comprehensive peace—one that would secure the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people—remains an unfinished chapter in his diplomatic legacy.

Yet Carter's presidency was also marked by formidable challenges that assessed both his leadership and the nation's resolve. The Iran hostage crisis, which cast a long shadow over his final year in office, revealed both the limitations of American power and the complexities of an emerging new world order. The economic challenges of his era, including stagflation and an energy crisis, demanded complex decisions that often came at significant political cost. Through it all, Carter maintained his characteristic integrity and moral fortitude, even when such qualities seemed to work against his political interests.

Personal Encounters with Greatness

In the tapestry of President Carter's remarkable life, I was fortunate to witness and share in several profound moments that illuminated the true essence of this extraordinary man. The halls of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs in 2008 still echo with the resonance of his words, where I sat among those privileged to hear him speak not just as a world leader but as a man whose love story with Rosalynn Smith Carter touched every heart in the room. Their romance, spanning over three-quarters of a century, stood as a testament to the enduring power of love and partnership in public service.

During the tumultuous days of the Arab Spring, when uncertainty clouded the region's future, President Carter's personal acknowledgment of me as "Habib" carried a weight that transcended mere recognition. It was a moment that exemplified his remarkable ability to make every individual feel seen and valued, regardless of their station in life. This quality, perhaps more than any other, defined his approach to both diplomacy and humanitarian work.

The delicate gesture of his 90th birthday letter, a treasure I hold dear, revealed the humility that made him extraordinary. Even as a global figure of immense significance, he maintained the thoughtful touch of personal connection, understanding that true leadership lies not in grand gestures alone but in the meaningful acknowledgment of those who share in the journey toward peace and justice.

A Legacy of Humanitarian Leadership

What truly distinguishes Jimmy Carter's legacy is his extraordinary post-presidential career. For 43 years following his departure from the White House, he embarked on what can only be described as a relentless pursuit of peace, health, and human dignity across the globe. The Carter Center, which he founded with his beloved wife, Rosalynn, became a powerful force for positive change, monitoring elections, mediating conflicts, and working to eradicate diseases that plagued the world's most vulnerable populations.

His work with Habitat for Humanity demonstrated a hands-on commitment to addressing poverty and homelessness that went far beyond mere rhetoric. Well into his 90s, Carter could be found on construction sites, hammer in hand, collaborating with volunteers to build homes for those in need. This tangible expression of his values spoke volumes about his character and his understanding that true leadership involves direct action rather than mere delegation.

Preserving History for Future Generations

As a professor teaching the "History and Civilization of the United States of America" at the Lebanese University, I have dedicated years to crafting a book in Arabic about President Carter's extraordinary life. This work seeks to capture not just the historical facts of his presidency, but the essence of a man whose moral compass never wavered, whose commitment to peace never faltered, and whose vision for humanity transcended political and cultural boundaries. Through my academic work, I strive to ensure that future generations in the Arab world will understand the complexity and nobility of a leader who, despite making decisions that sometimes-challenged regional interests, maintained an unwavering commitment to moral leadership and human dignity.

A Model of Faith and Service

Carter's approach to faith and public service offered a compelling model for how religious conviction could inform political action without imposing religious doctrine on others. His Sunday school teachings, continuing well into his 90s, revealed a deep spirituality that emphasized service, humility, and compassion rather than judgment or division. This integration of faith and public service demonstrated how personal beliefs could be enhanced rather than compromise one's commitment to secular governance.

Environmental Foresight and Global Vision

Carter's environmental foresight also deserves recognition. His installation of solar panels on the White House roof and his early warnings about energy dependency and climate change showed a prescience that has been vindicated by subsequent events. His understanding that environmental stewardship was both a moral imperative and a national security concern anticipated debates that would become central to American political discourse decades later.

Final Days and Lasting Impact

The dignity with which he faced his final years, including his cancer diagnosis in 2015 and his decision to enter hospice care in 2023, provided a final lesson in grace and acceptance. His statement that he was "perfectly at ease with whatever comes" reflected both his faith and his satisfaction with a life well lived. Even in his last public appearances, particularly at Rosalynn's memorial service, he demonstrated the quiet strength that had characterized his entire public life.

Concluding Thoughts

As we bid farewell to this remarkable soul, those of us who were privileged to share moments of his journey carry a special responsibility. We must ensure that future generations understand not just the historical significance of Jimmy Carter but the personal qualities that made him extraordinary—his humility in power, his courage in adversity, and his unwavering commitment to human dignity. In my continued work teaching American history and documenting his legacy for Arabic-speaking audiences, I strive to honor the man who showed us that true greatness lies not in the positions we hold but, in the lives, we touch and the positive change we create in the world.

May his memory continue to inspire us, his example guide us, and his vision of a more peaceful, just, and compassionate world remain our constant aspiration. For those of us who knew him, who learned from him, and who shared in his journey, we carry forward not just his memory but the sacred responsibility of ensuring that his legacy of peace, human rights, and humanitarian service endures for generations to come.

From Beirut, Habib Al Badawi