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Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, who was also the nation's oldest living president, died on Sunday at age 100. Prior to his life in politics, Carter was a peanut farmer and a U.S. Navy lieutenant. He was elected governor of Georgia in 1970 and U.S. president in 1976. James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, and was the eldest son of Bessie Lillian Carter and James Earl Carter Sr. Carter had three younger siblings: Gloria Spann, Ruth Stapleton and Billy Carter. Carter attended Plains High School in 1941 and briefly studied engineering at Georgia Southwestern College before transferring to the Naval ROTC program at Georgia Institute of Technology. Carter earned admission to the Naval Academy in 1943 and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Carter was assigned to serve on the USS Wyoming in 1946. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1952 before resigning in 1953 to manage his family farm following the death of his father. See Also: A History Of Businessmen In Politics Carter’s career in politics began when he served as chairman of the Sumter County Board of Education in the early 1960s. Within eight years, Carter became governor of Georgia, where he championed government efficiency, ecology and continued desegregation in the South. Carter defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. presidential election and remains the last Democrat to win the majority of the Southern states in the general election. During his one term as president, Carter created 8 million jobs and cut the budget deficit despite near-record inflation and interest rates. He established the Department of Education, strengthened Social Security, appointed record minority applicants to federal jobs, expanded national parks and combatted an energy crisis by proposing a plan to decrease the consumption of petroleum and increase the use of nuclear power. In addition, Carter championed human rights, helped bring peace between Egypt and Israel, completed a nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union and improved diplomatic relations with China. As a presidential candidate and as president, Carter also supported the LGBTQ community at a time when few public officials did. For example, in 1978, Carter urged California voters to defeat Proposition 6 (aka the Briggs Initiative), which would have barred gays and lesbians from teaching in the state's public schools. Voters rejected the anti-gay and lesbian measure by more than 1 million votes. When Carter ran for reelection in 1980, he was the first Democrat to endorse a gay rights plank in the party's platform. A combination of domestic economic trouble, extremely high inflation and a hostage situation at the U.S. embassy in Iran weighed on Carter’s popularity among the U.S. electorate, and he was defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election. See Also: This Day In Market History: Jimmy Carter Blocks Iranian Oil Imports Following his stint in the White House, Carter focused his efforts on championing human rights causes around the world. Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982 with the goal of alleviating human suffering and advancing human rights initiatives. Over the years, the Carter Center has promoted and supported global democratic elections and worked to reduce and treat the spread of disease in impoverished regions. Carter was also well-known for his volunteer work supporting Habitat for Humanity. Twenty years after he left office, Carter earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts in peace, democracy, human rights, and social and economic development. Carter is the author of 30 books, including the 2006 New York Times Best Seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” Carter’s passion for music was portrayed in the 2020 documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” Carter is survived by his children Amy, Jack, Donnel and James Carter. His wife Rosalynn died on Nov. 19, 2023 at 96. Contributors: Elizabeth Balboa, Anthony Noto Photo: Jimmy Carter in 1977, Photo by Bernard Gotfyd, courtesy Library of Congress © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.AI in Philippine banking: Embracing innovation amid challenges
ormer President , a man celebrated more for his than his time in the , passed away this Sunday at the . After nearly two years in hospice care at his home in , passing marked the end of an extraordinary life. Known for his humility and unwavering dedication to , he left a legacy that extended far beyond his presidency. Jimmy Carter's life dedicated to service Born on a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, early years instilled in him a strong work ethic. After graduating from the and serving in the Navy during and after , Carter became a pioneer in nuclear submarine technology. However, his father's death in 1953 prompted him to return home, where he successfully managed the family's peanut farm alongside his wife, . This return to Plains marked the beginning of his foray into politics, where he gained a reputation as a reformer during his two terms in the Georgia state Senate. presidency, from 1977 to 1981, was a time of significant global and domestic challenges. While he brokered the historic Camp David Accords and reestablished diplomatic ties with China, his administration struggled with economic instability, energy crises, and foreign policy setbacks, such as the failed rescue of American hostages in Iran. After losing his reelection bid to in 1980, Carter transitioned to a role that would redefine the potential of a former president. Jimmy Carter's post-presidency humanitarianism The years following his presidency were where Carter truly shined. Together with Rosalynn, he founded The Carter Center, an organization committed to promoting peace, human rights, and health initiatives worldwide. also worked hands-on with Habitat for Humanity, helping build affordable homes for low-income families well into his 90s. As an unofficial diplomat, played pivotal roles in negotiating peace deals, overseeing elections in developing nations, and advocating for nuclear nonproliferation. His efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, a recognition of his tireless commitment to humanitarian causes. Jimmy Carter's final years health had been in decline for years, marked by a cancer diagnosis in 2015 and other challenges that included brain surgery. In February 2023, he announced his decision to forgo medical treatment and transition to hospice care, a move his family described as reflective of his deep faith. His grandson, , noted that this period allowed to find peace and reflect on his extraordinary life. His final public appearance was in November 2023, shortly after the passing of , his wife of 77 years. Together, they shared a life that spanned decades of service, faith, and love-a partnership that became the longest marriage of any U.S. presidential couple. is survived by his four children and countless admirers who celebrate his enduring contributions to the world. His passing not only marks the end of a remarkable life but also leaves a legacy of humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to bettering humanity.Big Ten could place four teams in playoff, thanks to IU's rise
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