Some notable quotes from Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Jimmy Carter was remembered Thursday at his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral as a man of “character” and “something of a miracle” with a “prophetic” vision.
From family members to former aides and the current president, a look at some of the memorable and quotable moments from Carter’s funeral:
Biden reiterated “character” several times as Carter’s most important attribute, saying the former president taught him the need for “everyone to be treated with dignity and respect.”
“We have an obligation not to give hate a safe haven,” Biden said, also noting the importance of standing up against “abuses of power.”
“Our nation’s journey is a walk of pure faith, to do the work, to be the country we say we are, to be the country we say we want to be,” Biden said. “Today many think he came from a bygone era, but in reality he looked far into the future.”
“I miss him, but I take comfort in knowing that he and Rosalynn are reunited,” he concluded. “To the entire Carter family: Thank you – and I mean this sincerely – for sharing this with America and the world. We love you all.”
“For me, his political life and his presidency were not only ahead of his time. It was prophetic,” Carter’s grandson said.
‘He had the courage and strength to stick to his principles, even when they were politically unpopular. As governor of Georgia half a century ago, he preached an end to racial discrimination and an end to mass incarceration. As president in the 1970s, like you I heard he protected more land than any other president in history.
Fifty years ago, he was a climate warrior pushing for a world in which we conserved energy, cut emissions and traded our dependence on fossil fuels for expanded renewables.
By the way, he reduced the budget deficit, decriminalized marijuana, deregulated so many industries that he gave us cheap flights and, as you heard, craft beer. Actually, all those years ago, he was the first millennial. And he could make great playlists, as we heard.”
Sitting at a microphone, Young – who Carter appointed as ambassador to the United Nations – drew laughter from the crowd when he called Carter “something of a miracle,” noting, “It’s still hard for me to understand how you can become president of Plains, Georgia.”
Young, who is black and was a pastor in the area, said he felt “nervous” at times while driving through the small town.
“Time and time again, I saw in him the ability to achieve diversity through personality and upbringing,” Young said, of Carter. “He went out of his way to embrace those of us who grew up in all kinds of conflict.”
“He may not be a candidate for Mount Rushmore, but he belongs in the foothills,” said Eizenstat, Carter’s former chief domestic policy adviser who also wrote a book about the Carter administration.
___
Kinnard reported from Columbia, South Carolina, and can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP