Jimmy Carter descended from a family that had resided in Georgia for several generations. His great-grandfather, Private L. B. Walker Carter (1832–1874) served in the Confederate States Army in the Sumter Flying Artillery, seeing considerable action at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Jimmy Carter, the first President born in a hospital, he was simple man from simple roots, a peanut farmer who rose to the ranks to become President of the United States of America. From a young age, Carter showed a deep commitment to Christianity, serving as a Sunday School teacher throughout his political career. Even as President, Carter prayed several times a day, and professed that Jesus Christ was the driving force in his life. Carter had been greatly influenced by a sermon he had heard as a young man, called, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” In my opinion, Jimmy Carter is an excellent example of how a Christian person should conduct him/herself in the world today. What would Jesus do could also translate “What would Jimmy do”?

He was the first President to make public statements in support of gay rights. In California in the late 1970s, voters were facing a law which would have banned gays and lesbians (and heterosexuals that endorsed gay rights) from working in the school system. At a speech in California, Carter urged voters to reject the bill. In the early days of the Carter campaign, Carter had promised to oppose discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but unfortunately bowed to political pressures and backed off on the pledge when he won the Democratic Party nomination. The Carter White House did have the first official visit by a gay rights organization, and allowed a group of gay veterans to participate in an official ceremony for the Vietnam War Memorial.

He had just as many sucesses and he did defeats in his personal and political lives, but he remains a faithful Christian man. He is the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize and an active participant in the Habitant for Humanity. In his retirement he has not been idle as he continues to be a faithful and active supporter of peace and justice. I admire him and would love to meet him one day.