The legacy of Jimmy Carter

Former 39th President James Earl Carter Jr, known as Jimmy Carter, died on Dec. 29, 2024. Born on Oct. 1, 1924, Carter was 100 years old when he passed, making him the longest living president in United States history. His funeral procession took place on Jan 7, 2025. Carter’s body was flown in from his home state of Georgia, then transported to the capital in a horse-drawn caisson. All five living US presidents were in attendance, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joseph Biden, and President Donald Trump. The day of his funeral, Jan. 7, was named as a National Day of Mourning. In turn, this closed the US Stock Market, and the United States Postal Service. The traditional mourning period when a former president passes away is 30 days. On all federal buildings, the flag will be at half mast until Jan 28, 2025. In result, it was perceived that the flags would be flown halfway during the inauguration of President Trump. But, Trump requested that this not be the case, as it brings a sense of bad morale. So, the flags will be flown at full height for the inauguration on Jan 20. 

Carter’s legacy was something that was celebrated by the entire country. In his presidency, he helped to establish the Department of Education, and altered the country’s foreign policies to put an emphasis on human rights. However, a lot of what he will be remembered for is his work after his four years in office. He worked with Habitat for Humanity, which resulted in a work project titled the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. This is an annual project that has been building homes for people for around 30 years. Carter left a lasting legacy on the government, and the United States as a whole.

After the death of 39th President Jimmy Carter, a lot of Americans recognized his legacy, not just as a president, but as a humanitarian.

One of the most prominent accomplishments of Carter’s presidency was the establishment of the Department of Education. The Department of Education helps to fund schools, and ensure that every child in America receives the education that they deserve. 

History teacher Angela Steele explains that even though the Department of Education did exist before Carter within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, his isolation of the Department in 1979 helped the country. 

“There had been federal government policies, but after he [did] this, it [made] it to where the government is able to fund certain programs within the school, and that’s the biggest thing that the Department of Education [does],” Steele said. 

While the Department of Education funding doesn’t impact Rockwood students greatly, Steele said how important the federal funding is for other states. 

“Obviously certain states have more wealth, and so that federal funding coming in [has] such a huge impact on schools. I’ve always worked for Rockwood so we tend to have high tax salaries to be able to pay for things. But if you were in one of the lower socioeconomic schools, you definitely aren’t getting that funding coming in,” Steele said. 

Many argue that Carter’s term as president didn’t have as strong of an impact compared to others. Sophomore Brenden Corkery argues that even though he didn’t have a large change in his presidency, he always prioritized the American people, and their needs. 

“He’s [put] the people first and that’s what you should do as a statesman,” Corkery said. 

Carter was the longest living president, and had the longest life post-term of any president in United States’ history. Corkery mentioned that his humanitarian work after his term is what shaped him as a person. 

“He did a lot of charitable [things]. As a person, he ran a lot of organizations to make the world better. He helped a lot of people in need and he really put himself out there,” Corkery said. 

Steele agrees, saying that his work in the world after his presidency is the most important aspect of his legacy. 

“I think that the best part about Jimmy Carter is [his] humanitarian work. The idea that a president is a good human, doing good work to the day he dies is something that whether you like Jimmy Carter or liked his policies, you love the fact that he was giving back to the community. You can say nothing bad about him in that respect because he showcased that even after your four years of service, you can still give to the American people and still provide that service for them,” Steele said.