Washington
CNN
—
President Joe Biden provided a one centesimal birthday greeting to former President Jimmy Carter, celebrating a predecessor he stated he admires “so darn a lot.”
Calling the previous president a “ethical drive for our nation and the world,” Biden heralded Carter as “a voice of braveness, conviction, compassion, and most of all, a beloved good friend” in a direct-to-camera birthday greeting shared with CBS Information.
Carter, who has been in hospice care since February 2023, is the oldest president in American historical past. The Bidens have remained in shut contact with the Carter household.
Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, stated at tge Democratic Nationwide Conference in August that his PawPaw was “holding on” for the November election.
“He’s hopeful. And although his physique could also be weak tonight, his spirit is as robust as ever. My grandfather can’t wait to vote for Kamala Harris,” he stated.
Carter, a Democrat, oversaw key milestones at dwelling and overseas, together with the Camp David Accords, a peace settlement between Egypt and Israel, and the creation of the Division of Vitality, the Division of Training and the Federal Emergency Administration Company.
He championed rules on auto emissions and a seat belt and air bag requirement for automobiles, a really unpopular coverage on the time. Carter formally established diplomatic relations with China, designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal vacation and presided over important conservation efforts in Alaska.
Carter left workplace a one-term president in 1981 amid criticism of his dealing with of the Iran hostage disaster.
It’s maybe the actions of his post-presidency which have outlined Carter’s legacy of service to others, together with intense public well being efforts and the promotion of democracy overseas.
“Even after you left workplace, the ethical readability you confirmed all through your profession confirmed via once more in your dedication via the Carter Middle and Habitat for Humanity – resolving conflicts, advancing democracy, stopping illness, and a lot extra,” Biden stated within the birthday message, filmed in entrance of Carter’s presidential portrait on the State Flooring.
“Put merely, Mr. President, I love you so darn a lot,” he added.
Biden was one of many first senators to endorse Carter’s 1976 presidential marketing campaign.
“Being ‘proper’ on the problems will not be sufficient in 1976. Our nation and our get together want a president who will not be solely proper, however who has demonstrated means to perform our widespread objectives,” Biden and Sen. Birch Bayh wrote in a joint letter on the time.
Biden and first girl Dr. Jill Biden traveled to Plains, Georgia, to go to the Carters on the one centesimal day of Biden’s presidency in 2021.
“We sat and talked in regards to the outdated days,” Biden advised reporters after the go to, calling the Carters “outdated pals.”