President Joe Biden paid tribute to his “good friend” Jimmy Carter on the occasion of the former president’s 100th birthday, calling him a “moral force” for the country.
“Congratulations on your 100th birthday,” Biden said in a video posted to the White House social media accounts. “You have always been a moral force for our nation and the world.”
“You are one of the most influential stories in our history. Even after you left office, the moral clarity you demonstrated throughout your career was once again on display, your commitment through the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity,” he added.
‘Sir. President, I admire you so much and God continues to bless you: Mr. President and a great friend,” he said.
Biden, 81 years old, spoke in front of Carter’s presidential portrait on display in the White House. The video included footage of a young Joe Biden, then a senator from Delaware, in the Oval Office with President Carter.
President Joe Biden wishes Jimmy Carter a happy birthday
Biden was an early supporter of Carter when Carter entered the 1976 Democratic presidential primaries. He and Jill Biden remained close to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
In addition, the North Lawn of the White House features a display with the number “100” and the message “Happy Birthday President Carter” in honor of the 39th president.
The former president is spending his birthday at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he has been in hospice care for 19 months.
He is the first former American president to reach the age of 100.
Carter became an inspiration after his only term in office for his post-presidency work became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and an advocate for democracy.
He and Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982 to “build peace, fight disease and build hope.”
His grandson Jason Carter told it The New York Times that the former president has “really re-engaged with the world.”
He admitted that the family was concerned about their patriarch after Rosalynn Carter’s death last year.
The last time Jimmy Carter was seen in public was almost a year ago, when he attended his wife’s funeral in a reclining wheelchair. He looked seriously impaired.
On the north lawn of the White House stands a sign wishing former President Jimmy Carter a happy 100th birthday
Then-President Jimmy Carter with then-Senator Joe Biden in 1978 in Wilmington, Del.
But, Jason Carter says, the former president has rallied.
“Especially in the last few months, he’s become much more involved in world events, much more involved in politics, much more, just emotionally involved with all of us,” he told the Associated Press.
Carter enjoys listening to Bob Dylan, the Allman Brothers Band and Garth Brooks. He is also frustrated with the performance of the Atlanta Braves.
And what he’s looking forward to is Election Day so he can vote for Kamala Harris.
Jason Carter also said his grandfather, who has conducted election observations around the world, appreciated Biden’s decision to step down as the Democratic presidential candidate.
“He, like many of us, was incredibly pleased with his friend Joe Biden’s courageous choice to pass the torch,” he said. “You know, my grandfather and The Carter Center observed over a hundred elections in forty other countries, right? So he knows how rare it is for someone who is a sitting president to give up power in any context.”
Jason Carter continued, “When we asked him about his 100th birthday, he said he wanted to vote for Kamala Harris.”
He also revealed that Harris often calls to inquire about the former president.
Jimmy Carter was last seen in public at his wife Rosalynn’s funeral in November
Jill Biden, Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter and Joe Biden together at the Carters’ home in Plains, Georgia, in April 2021
Carter’s hometown celebrates his birthday with a flyover of military aircraft, a naturalization ceremony for 100 new citizens and a concert.
All former presidents were invited to contribute a video message – all except Donald Trump.
Trump used Carter as a punching bag to beat Biden before Biden dropped out of the race.
Carter will not attend the festivities in person. He is bedridden and cared for by his sons and daughter.
“The caring side of this takes its toll, as it does in any family,” Jason Carter told The Times. “I think we’re all surprised to see that he’s still leaving.”
“You know,” he added, “he could very well be immortal.”